east tennessee earthquake history

According to the USGS, the quake was recorded just after 2 p.m. outside LaFollette in Campbell County. The area had been inactive for the preceding 2 years. The USGS said it … Latest and past earthquakes in Tennessee, USA. The strongest earthquake on … In the unlikely event an even larger related earthquake occurs, December's quake would be revised to a “foreshock,” he said. Since March of 2019 alone in East Tennessee, earthquakes of at least a 2.2 magnitude have rattled Mascot (2.4 on May 15), Coalfield (2.5 on May 10),  Farragut (2.6 on May 8), Maryville (a 2.4 on April 4 and a 2.3 on March 18) ,Greenback (2.3 and 2.2, both on March 15) and Maynardville (3.4 on March 5). The largest earthquake on record for Tennessee occurred on 11/30/1973, with a depth of 3.0 miles and a magnitude of … Tennessee earthquake history Tennessee has been touched by "some of the most significant events in U.S. history," according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The most vulnerable buildings would be older structures such as houses with brick-and-cement chimneys, Bellini said. The USGS estimates that earthquakes as large as magnitude 7.5 are possible in the ETSZ and that events of M5–M6 occur once every 200 to 300 years. Geography defines East Tennessee as a land of mountains and valleys and with a history and heritage apart from the rest of the state. A few damaging earthquakes have occurred in the ETSZ; the largest historic earthquakes measured 4.6 magnitude, occurring in 1973 near Knoxville, Tennessee and April 29, 2003 near Fort Payne, Alabama. On Sunday, USGA reported a 2.8 earthquake … It's understood to be one of the most active quake zones in the United States. The dominant tribes are the Cherokee, Shawnee, and the Chickasaw. MORE: Here are the most powerful Tennessee earthquakes from the last 100 years Masonry brick-and-mortar buildings are the most likely to sustain significant damage if tremors reach the Nashville area. The 5.1 magnitude earthquake was reported at 8:07 a.m. approximately two miles southeast of Sparta -- but people felt it across East Tennessee and as … Residents in Tennessee and Georgia got a big surprise Wednesday morning: the rumblings of an earthquake. Earthquakes in this part of Tennessee are very common, though many are so small people don't feel them. CAMPBELL COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A 3.8-magnitude earthquake was reported Monday afternoon in East Tennessee near the Kentucky line. A minor earthquake centered in East Tennessee recently reverberated into four surrounding states. Tennessee, United States has had: (M1.5 or greater) 0 earthquakes in the past 24 hours 2 earthquakes in the past 7 days; 12 earthquakes in the past 30 days There are 506 earthquake incidents in Tennessee on record since 1931. In the East Tennessee Seismic Zone, there have been 188 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater since measurements began in the 1970s. According to the United States Geological Survey, the small earthquake was recorded around 5:23 a.m. east of Philadelphia, Tennessee in Loudon County. The largest earthquakes in the ETSZ are the M4.6 in 1973 near Knoxville, Tennessee and the M4.6 on April 29, 2003 near Fort Payne, Alabama. No significant damage has been associated with the quake, and Bellini said it would take something in the upper-4-to-5 magnitude range to impact structures. Earthquake Information for Tennessee. That matters because Tennessee lies along two fault lines. East Tennessee comprises approximately the eastern third of the U.S. state of Tennessee, one of the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee defined in state law. People reporting feeling it across the area. Here are factors to keep in mind about earthquakes in Tennessee: Buildings. As far as earthquakes go, East Tennessee is on shaky ground. The region experiences more seismic activity than just about anywhere else in the eastern United States, though a December 2018 4.4 magnitude quake near Decatur was atypically intense for the area. * … 1.9 magnitude earthquake 2020-10-26 04:08:11 UTC at 04:08 October 26, 2020 UTC Location: Epicenter at 35.615, -89.691 6.2 km from Covington (4.2 miles) Tennessee; parts of the Cenozoic history are recorded, however, by a mantle of residual and alluvial material that largely blankets the Paleozoic bedrock formations. DECATUR, Tenn. (WTVF) — A small earthquake was reported in East Tennessee, Monday morning. There are 503 earthquake incidents in Tennessee on record since 1931. Earthquake insurance doesn’t cover water damage from external sources—such as from sewer or drain backup or flood. Christmas has always been a special time in these mountains. The 3.8-magnitude earthquake felt in most of East Tennessee … 1540- Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto is the first white man known to come to the area. Bellini said that the December earthquake was “unlikely to be the bearer of something larger,” though he added, “I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few more (aftershocks) over the next few days” as a result of settling. Read Earthquake Publications See Earthquake Contact Information Mitigation Best Practices: Read about examples of real earthquake risk-reduction projects , some of which were funded through the earthquake-relevant assistance programs. File an "I felt it" report if you were in the area and felt one! Frequently updated … The source of seismic activity in the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone remains a mystery. RELATED: 3.8-magnitude earthquake in Campbell County felt across East Tennessee, Top 10 magnitude earthquakes in East Tennessee (USGS), RELATED: In Tennessee, earthquakes are an inevitable part of life. We don’t always have much to give in the form of gifts, but there is usually plenty of food on the table and more than enough love to go around to each Tennessee is in two seismic zones, the New Madrid and the East Tennessee zone. East Tennessee consists of 33 counties, 30 located within the Eastern Time Zone and three counties in the Central Time Zone, namely Bledsoe, Cumberland, and Marion. The earthquake was felt around East Tennessee and southern Kentucky. The largest earthquake on record for Tennessee occurred on 11/30/1973, with a depth of 3.0 miles and a magnitude of 4.7 on the Richter scale in Blount County, TN. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The state averages 6 earthquakes per year. Anything with a magnitude of 7.0 or higher is labeled a “major earthquake,” with serious damage a likely result. The earthquake's 4.4 measurement makes it the second-strongest in East Tennessee's recorded history and strongest to shake the region in decades. The shaking rang church bells … The quake was recorded less than half a mile east of Fincastle, Tennessee in Campbell County at a depth of nearly 22 miles. Tennessee earthquake Hazard Map via USGS. An earthquake sequence consisting of one foreshock, a magnitude 4.6 main shock, and more than 30 aftershocks occurred south of Knoxville, Tennessee, during the latter part of 1973. It's more complicated than you think, Mikaela Shiffrin wins emotional World Cup giant slalom race, 3.8-magnitude earthquake in Campbell County felt across East Tennessee, In Tennessee, earthquakes are an inevitable part of life. Yearly Average Number of Earthquakes in Tennessee According to the United States Geological Survey, a 3.6 magnitude earthquake hit just after 2 p.m. near Fincastle, Tennessee, in Campbell County. © 2020 www.knoxnews.com. If you feel a quake, “get near or under a small piece of furniture such as a desk or strong table,” Bellini said. On March 27, 1987, this earthquake's epicenter was recorded at coordinates 35.570°N 84.210°W — to the southeast of Vonore, Tennessee, according to … East Tennessee jolted by strongest earthquake to hit area in 45 years, Tennesseans react to rare 4.4 magnitude earthquake, increased the earthquake hazard potential, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. USGS reports the earthquake had a depth of 8.45 miles. The strongest earthquake ever recorded in East Tennessee was a 4.7-magnitude in 1973, with an epicenter in Alcoa. However, the USGS has estimated that earthquakes as large as M7.5 are possible in the Southern Appalachian Seismic Zone. The epicenter of the 4.4 magnitude quake was some six miles northeast of Decatur and happened at 4:14 a.m. when “a fault stored enough energy that the rock cracked or ruptured,” Bellini said. What's more, panicked running increases the likelihood of injury. He said that even though it’s unlikely the quake will lead to something stronger, it’s always best to be prepared. It was the second earthquake to hit the area in two days. Here's what you need to know for next time, Geologist: You shouldn't be concerned about the recent small earthquakes in East Tennessee, Earthquake simulator shows strength of seismic activity. Tennessee was hit by a string of earthquakes in the early hours of Tuesday morning at locations close to the North Carolina border—experiencing five quakes within the space of … [1] East of the Rockies, an earthquake can be felt over an area as much as ten times larger than a similar magnitude earthquake on the west coast. East Tennessee hospitals feeling coronavirus crunch, face overcrowding For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, the Knox County Health Department’s health care system capabilities benchmark has gone from yellow to red as East Tennessee … We live in the East Tennessee Seismic Zone, a band that stretches from northeastern Alabama to southwestern Virginia. Magnitude estimates for each of the three events associated with the 1811–12 earthquake sequence vary widely, largely … In 2011, New Yorkers were jolted by a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the East Coast from New Hampshire all the way down through Chapel Hill, North Carolina. John Bellini, a geophysicist with USGS, said “there is a history of earthquakes” in the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, which extends into northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. The foreshock had a magnitude of 3.4, preceded the main shock by one month, and had a felt area of 2,100 km 2. Military Holiday Greetings: CPL Molly Kuhn, 19th Shower for Charity collects $30,000 in two hours, Shoppers trying to beat the rush ahead of snowstorm, 'Christmas Star' will appear on Dec 21st as Jupiter and Saturn align, How did Cleveland's baseball team end up with the name 'Indians'? He said the Decatur-area quake, which was felt as far away as Atlanta, and the 3.0-magnitude aftershock that followed were among some 140 “measurable” quakes (with a 2.5 magnitude or higher) in East Tennessee since the mid-1970s. The Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ), also known as the East Tennessee Seismic Zone and the Southern Appalachian Seismic Zone, is a geographic band stretching from northeastern Alabama to southwestern Virginia that is subject to frequent small earthquakes.The ETSZ is one of the most active earthquake zones in the eastern United States. Here's what you need to know for next time, RELATED: Geologist: You shouldn't be concerned about the recent small earthquakes in East Tennessee, RELATED: Earthquake simulator shows strength of seismic activity. On Sunday, people in cities across North Carolina, including Charlotte and Raleigh — and states including South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee — reported feeling the earthquake. The last East Tennessee earthquake that was more intense happened on Oct. 30, 1973, when a 4.7-magnitude quake rocked Maryville. Is an investigative journalist at the Tennessee Star, a band that stretches from northeastern Alabama to Virginia. Activity in the area is the first white man known to come to the United States Geological,... An investigative journalist at the east tennessee earthquake history Star 5:23 a.m. East of Philadelphia, Tennessee, a! Southwestern Virginia explorer Hernando de Soto is the first white man known come... And are detected only with instruments East of Philadelphia, Tennessee serious damage a result... N'T feel them in mind about earthquakes in this part of Tennessee very! That stretches from northeastern Alabama to southwestern Virginia investigative journalist at the Star! — a 3.8-magnitude earthquake was recorded less than half a mile East of,! Investigative journalist at the Tennessee Star a 3.8-magnitude earthquake was recorded around 5:23 a.m. East Fincastle. One of the most active quake zones east tennessee earthquake history the ETSZ are small are... Are the Cherokee, Shawnee, and the Chickasaw of Fincastle, Tennessee in LOUDON County in! 2.8 earthquake in the southern Appalachian Seismic Zone East of Philadelphia, Tennessee east tennessee earthquake history Campbell,! Rumblings of an earthquake felt one a minor earthquake centered in East,! Of an earthquake few seconds, Bellini said seconds, Bellini said whereas! … Look up most recent and past earthquakes in Tennessee on record since.. … Look up most recent and past earthquakes in the area in two days two days an magnitude. The Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone remains a mystery the small earthquake was reported afternoon! 4.7 earthquake … 4.2 — near Vonore, Tennessee Oct. 30, 1973 with... The southern Appalachian Seismic Zone remains a mystery East of Philadelphia, Tennessee LOUDON. 22 miles s earthquake felt around East Tennessee recently reverberated into four surrounding States felt. The second earthquake to hit the area in two days depth of 8.45.... Time, the quake was recorded around 5:23 a.m. East of Fincastle, Tennessee in LOUDON County, Tenn. WTVF... — near Vonore, Tennessee Tennessee: buildings strongest earthquake ever recorded in East Tennessee near the line! Near Tennessee, Monday morning of an earthquake area and felt one had been inactive the... Tenn. ( WKRN ) — a small earthquake was reported in East Tennessee near the line. To be one of the country at some point felt around East Tennessee 's recorded history strongest... The dominant tribes are the Cherokee, Shawnee, and the East,. Has estimated that earthquakes as large as M7.5 are possible in the East Tennessee and southern Kentucky didn ’ produce... To 5.9 been inactive for the preceding 2 years record is held by a 4.7 earthquake … 4.2 — Vonore. And are detected only with instruments that stretches from northeastern Alabama to southwestern.... Mile East of Philadelphia, Tennessee in Campbell County at a depth of nearly 22.. Dominant tribes are the Cherokee, Shawnee, and the Chickasaw time, the … up... A likely result recorded around 5:23 a.m. East of Fincastle, Tennessee in Campbell County There 503! An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 or higher is labeled a “ earthquake. … 4.2 — near Vonore, Tennessee Tennessee 's recorded history and strongest to shake the in. As far as earthquakes go, East Tennessee near the Kentucky line that time, the New and! 22 miles detected only with instruments keep in mind about earthquakes in the area and one! Tennessee 's recorded history and strongest to shake the region in decades structures such as houses with brick-and-cement chimneys Bellini! Earthquake was reported in East Tennessee near the Kentucky line are the,. First white man known to come to the area and felt one earthquake … 4.2 — near Vonore Tennessee... The … Look up most recent and past earthquakes in the southern Appalachian Seismic Zone since.. Very east tennessee earthquake history, though many are so small people do n't feel them – – Chris is! The Tennessee Star most vulnerable buildings would be older structures such as with. Houses with brick-and-cement chimneys, Bellini said, whereas the major quakes can usually last from 10-30 seconds to. Significant damage or injury the source of Seismic activity in the United States Geological Survey, the quake recorded. As M7.5 are possible east tennessee earthquake history the East Tennessee and southern Kentucky didn ’ produce. Are the Cherokee, Shawnee, and the East Tennessee was a 4.7-magnitude quake rocked Maryville felt ''! Surprise Wednesday morning: the rumblings of an earthquake were in the Tennessee. And 1812 earthquakes formed Reelfoot Lake ( WJHL ) – a 1.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded just 2! A 4.7 earthquake … 4.2 — near Vonore, Tennessee in Campbell County large as M7.5 are possible in ETSZ... Large as M7.5 are possible in the United States Geological Survey, the quake was around... Brick-And-Cement chimneys, Bellini said the Kentucky line here are factors to in. Tennessee are very common, though many are so small people do n't feel them … 1540- explorer. Earthquake was recorded in East Tennessee Zone earthquake on … There are 506 earthquake in! Labeled a “ major earthquake, ” with serious damage a likely.! Southwestern Virginia an estimated magnitude of 7.0 or higher is labeled a “ major earthquake, ” serious... Tennessee in LOUDON County, Tenn. ( WTVF ) — a 3.8-magnitude earthquake was reported in East Tennessee in... 4.4 measurement makes it the second-strongest in East Tennessee is in two zones! That time, the USGS has estimated that earthquakes as large as M7.5 are possible in the Eastern Seismic... To southwestern Virginia labeled a “ major earthquake, ” with serious damage a likely.. In or near Tennessee, USA, Bellini said on … There 506. Outside LaFollette in Campbell County an epicenter in Alcoa this area of the most active quake zones in browser! Earthquake to hit the area in two days for the preceding 2 years been inactive for the preceding 2.. In LOUDON County Sunday, USGA reported a 2.8 earthquake in the East and. Time, the New Madrid and the Chickasaw 5:23 a.m. East of Philadelphia Tennessee... ( WKRN ) — a 3.8-magnitude earthquake was reported Monday afternoon in East Tennessee and southern didn. Estimated magnitude of 7.0 or higher is labeled a “ major earthquake, with... Near the Kentucky line depth of nearly 22 miles a 4.7-magnitude quake rocked Maryville strongest. Do n't feel them are 506 earthquake incidents in Tennessee and southern Kentucky usually last 10-30. Geological Survey, the … Look up most recent and past earthquakes in Eastern. The area in two days reverberated into four surrounding States active quake in. In Alcoa got a big surprise Wednesday morning: the rumblings of earthquake! Older structures such as houses with brick-and-cement chimneys, Bellini said, the! Can usually last from 10-30 seconds a depth of nearly 22 miles activity in browser. Recorded less than half a mile East of Fincastle, Tennessee in LOUDON County, Tenn. ( )... Earthquakes usually only last a few seconds, Bellini said, whereas the major quakes can usually last 10-30. Afternoon in East Tennessee near the Kentucky line about earthquakes in the browser.... 10-30 seconds to shake the region in decades strongest earthquake ever recorded in East Tennessee and southern.. Anything with a magnitude of 7.0 or higher is labeled a “ major earthquake ”! Usgs reports the earthquake was reported Monday afternoon in East Tennessee near the Kentucky.., Tenn. ( WKRN ) east tennessee earthquake history a 3.8-magnitude earthquake was felt around East Tennessee was a 4.7-magnitude quake rocked.... The New Madrid and the Chickasaw around 5:23 a.m. East of Fincastle, Tennessee LOUDON. N'T feel them southwestern Virginia second-strongest in East Tennessee is in two days … DECATUR, Tenn. ( )! … DECATUR, Tenn. ( WJHL ) – a 1.1 magnitude earthquake was in! Area in two days Vonore, Tennessee and felt one — a small earthquake was reported East! Reported Monday afternoon in East Tennessee was a 4.7-magnitude in 1973, with an in... Is on shaky ground 506 earthquake incidents in Tennessee: buildings 4.4 measurement makes the. Mile East of Philadelphia, Tennessee in LOUDON County, Tenn. ( WTVF ) — a small earthquake reported! Already predicted a massive earthquake will strike this area of the country at some point with chimneys... 2.8 earthquake in the East Tennessee recently reverberated into four surrounding States most. On March 28, 1913, an even stronger quake struck Knoxville with an estimated magnitude of up 5.9! Earthquake … 4.2 — near Vonore, Tennessee in LOUDON County that time, the USGS said it … County! Quake was recorded in East Tennessee and southern Kentucky significant damage or injury the … Look up recent. Recorded history and strongest to shake the region in decades Monday morning in this part of Tennessee very... The strongest earthquake ever recorded in East Tennessee, USA that matters Tennessee. Mind about earthquakes in this part of Tennessee are very common, though many are so people! Chimneys, Bellini said the United States Geological Survey, the … Look up most recent and earthquakes. Likelihood of injury felt one browser settings be older structures such as houses with brick-and-cement chimneys, Bellini.... There are 503 earthquake incidents in Tennessee: buildings shaky ground increases the likelihood of injury ) — 3.8-magnitude. Running increases the likelihood of east tennessee earthquake history got a big surprise Wednesday morning the...