A powerful earthquake that struck early Saturday morning jolted residents across the southeastern United States, startling thousands from their weekend routines and shaking homes as far as 120 miles from the epicenter. The tremor, which registered a magnitude of 4.8 according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), was centered near the Tennessee-Georgia border but reverberated across at least six other states.
At approximately 9:00 a.m. local time, the quake startled families across Tennessee. Lisa Hammett, a resident of southeastern Tennessee, described the moment with vivid clarity. “We felt it throughout the house,” she said. “Nothing came off the shelves, but we knew it was very different than when they blast in the nearby quarries.” Hammett, like many others, immediately sensed the unfamiliar intensity.
Widespread Impact
Reports of the shaking quickly poured in from neighboring states. People in North Carolina and South Carolina, including cities like Asheville and Greenville, said they experienced noticeable tremors. In Georgia, the quake was felt from the mountainous north all the way to the capital.
“I was in my bedroom in Woodstock, Georgia,” said Lyle Mauer. “Five minutes after 9 this morning, the handles on my dresser drawers started rattling for about 5 to 10 seconds.” Mauer initially thought it was heavy construction nearby until social media confirmed the seismic event.
Further evidence of the earthquake’s strength came from a home security camera in Blairsville, Georgia, which captured nearly 20 seconds of consistent shaking. Renee Stookey, who shared the footage, said the tremor startled her family and left them momentarily disoriented.
In Atlanta, about two hours south of the epicenter, residents felt the ground move too. “Just out of nowhere the house started shaking,” said Lucie Belvin. “At first we thought it was a truck on the highway or something. It lasted for about 15-30 seconds. Then we found it was an earthquake! Never felt anything like it before in my life.”
Also Read: Trump Administration Weighs Suspending Habeas Corpus in Escalating Immigration Crackdown
Tens of Thousands Report Feeling It
As of Saturday evening, over 35,000 people had submitted reports to the USGS confirming they had felt the quake. These community-submitted “Did You Feel It?” responses help seismologists better understand the earthquake’s reach and intensity in populated areas.
Despite the wide area of shaking, no major damage or injuries have been officially reported. Local emergency services received scattered calls about minor structural disturbances — such as fallen picture frames or shifting furniture — but nothing significant or life-threatening.
Uncommon But Not Impossible
While the southeastern United States is not typically known for frequent seismic activity, it is not immune to tectonic shifts. The USGS identified this quake as an intraplate earthquake, which occurs within a tectonic plate rather than along the edges where most seismic activity takes place.
“These kinds of quakes are less common, but they do happen,” said Dr. Michael Farris, a geophysicist at Georgia Tech. “The southeastern U.S. has several fault zones, including the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, that can produce moderate tremors like this.”
Dr. Farris explained that while the region doesn’t face the same level of seismic risk as California or Alaska, today’s event is a reminder of the earth’s unpredictable nature. “The shaking traveled far because the crust in this part of the country is older and denser, so seismic waves can move more efficiently.”
Aftershocks Unlikely But Possible
According to the USGS, there is a low probability of significant aftershocks. The agency estimates a 23% chance of a magnitude 3.0 or greater quake in the next week, and only a 5% chance of another tremor reaching magnitude 4.0 or higher.
Residents are still advised to remain cautious. In rare cases, aftershocks can be strong enough to cause minor damage, especially to older structures or in areas with weaker building codes.
A Wake-Up Call for Preparedness
While the event may ultimately be remembered as a rare geological occurrence with minimal consequences, it has left a lasting impression on those who experienced it.
“I’m definitely going to read up on earthquake safety now,” said Belvin from Atlanta. “You don’t expect this kind of thing here, but clearly, it can happen.”
Emergency management officials recommend that residents review basic earthquake preparedness measures, such as securing heavy furniture, identifying safe spots in their homes, and creating a family communication plan.
For now, the southeast breathes a collective sigh of relief. But the morning’s unexpected shaking served as a stark reminder that even in places where earthquakes seem rare, the ground can still surprise us.
