4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Tennessee, Felt in Atlanta/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tennessee on Saturday morning and was felt across parts of Georgia, North Carolina, and beyond. The quake’s epicenter was near Greenback, Tennessee, roughly 30 miles south of Knoxville. Residents across the region reported shaking, with many mistaking it for low-flying aircraft.
Southeastern Earthquake Quick Looks
- Magnitude 4.1 quake hits near Greenback, Tennessee
- Tremors felt in Atlanta, Georgia and parts of North Carolina
- Earthquake occurred around 9:00 a.m. EDT
- USGS confirms epicenter about 30 miles south of Knoxville
- No major damage or injuries reported at this time
- Meteorologists and residents across the region felt the quake
- Braselton, Georgia resident described ceiling fan shaking
- Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone known for frequent activity
- Past tremors in the area include a 4.4 quake in 2018
- Experts continue to monitor seismic activity in the Southeast
Deep Look
4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Tennessee, Sends Tremors Across Southeast
ATLANTA — A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck eastern Tennessee on Saturday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, shaking homes and startling residents across Georgia, North Carolina, and even parts of Alabama.
The tremor hit at approximately 9:00 a.m. EDT, with the epicenter located about 12 miles from Greenback, Tennessee — a small town around 30 miles south of Knoxville. The quake was classified as having a preliminary magnitude of 4.1, making it one of the more significant seismic events in the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone in recent years.
Widespread Shaking Felt Across the Region
Reports of shaking came from metro Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia, western North Carolina, and parts of the Carolinas. Some people initially mistook the tremors for thunder, explosions, or low-flying aircraft.
Gabriela Reilly, a resident of Braselton, described her experience while making breakfast with her husband:
“Our ceiling fan started shaking for about 10 seconds,” she said. “I thought a giant aircraft had flown low right over the neighborhood, but my husband said, ‘No, that was definitely an earthquake!’”
No Immediate Damage, but a Strong Reminder
There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage, but residents were understandably shaken. Experts note that while the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone is not as famous as California’s, it remains one of the most active seismic zones in the Southeast.
Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone: A Quiet Hotspot
This region has seen notable activity in the past. In December 2018, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Decatur, Tennessee, also felt in Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Nashville. A few days later, a 3.0 magnitude aftershock occurred near Mascot, Tennessee, shaking buildings in Kentucky, North Carolina, and parts of Georgia.
The Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone spans portions of Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, and though quakes are typically mild, experts warn that stronger earthquakes are possible.
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