Overview of the Earthquake

On Saturday morning, a preliminary magnitude 4.1 earthquake was reported in Tennessee, with tremors felt in Atlanta, Georgia, and across western North Carolina. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the occurrence, noting it transpired shortly after 9 a.m. EDT.

Epicenter and Reach

The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 12 miles (20 kilometers) from Greenback, Tennessee, which lies about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Knoxville. Local meteorologists confirmed that noticeable vibrations had been experienced across the region.

Local Reactions

Residents in the affected areas described various experiences. Gabriela Reilly, who was preparing breakfast with her husband in Braselton, Georgia, recounted, “Our ceiling fan started shaking for about 10 seconds. I thought a giant aircraft had flown low right over the neighborhood, but my husband said, ‘No, that was definitely an earthquake!’”

Seismic Activity in the Region

Earthquakes are not uncommon in this part of the United States. The Eastern Tennessee seismic zone is regarded as one of the most active areas in the Southeastern region, affecting parts of Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.

In December 2018, several tremors occurred, including a significant 4.4 magnitude earthquake centered in Decatur, Tennessee, which impacted homes as far south as Atlanta. Just days later, a second earthquake with a magnitude of 3.0 occurred near Knoxville, also felt in parts of Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina.