North Carolina rocked by 5.1 magnitude earthquake

North Carolina rocked by 5.1 magnitude earthquake A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck North Carolina Sunday morning, the strongest earthquake to hit the area in more than a century. (United States Geological Survey/United States Geological Survey)

August 09, 2020 at 10:50 am EDT

By Cox Media Group National Content Desk

SPARTA, N.C. — A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck North Carolina Sunday morning, the strongest earthquake to hit the area in more than a century.

The United States Geological Survey recorded the earthquake around 8 a.m. near Sparta.

Regarding the 5.1 near Sparta, NC (3.7 km depth) and the next 1 week forecast:

- M3+ is 57% chance (as few as 0, as many as 57 if sequence is re-invigorated by a larger aftershock)
- M5+ is 5% chance

More info: https://t.co/cc5GJlmv2U
— USGS (@USGS) August 9, 2020

Officials said small earthquakes have been felt in the inland areas of North and South Carolina since 1776.

Since at least 1776, people living inland in North and South Carolina, and in adjacent parts of Georgia and Tennessee, have felt small earthquakes and suffered damage from infrequent larger ones. The largest earthquake in the area (magnitude 5.1) occurred in 1916.
— USGS (@USGS) August 9, 2020

The largest earthquake to hit the area was in 1916 — it was also measured at 5.1 magnitude.

Since at least 1776, people living inland in North and South Carolina, and in adjacent parts of Georgia and Tennessee, have felt small earthquakes and suffered damage from infrequent larger ones. The largest earthquake in the area (magnitude 5.1) occurred in 1916.
— USGS (@USGS) August 9, 2020

North Carolina rocked by 5.1 magnitude earthquake

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North Carolina rocked by 5.1 magnitude earthquake

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