The USGS reports, a significant earthquake took place near Sparta, North Carolina around 8:07 am Sunday morning, August 9th.
The quake registered at 5.1 on the Richter Scale, one of the stronger to occur in this region in decades. Reports of feeling the earthquake were reported from all across Western North Carolina, and as far south as Atlanta, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina.
The Greenville Spartanburg National Weather Service Said. “According to the @USGS database, the 5.1 magnitude earthquake near Sparta, NC this morning is the second strongest earthquake to occur in NC since 1900. The strongest was a 5.2 magntitude earthquake near Skyland, NC in February 1916.”
There are other reports of a stronger, more recent earthquake in Mitchell County. In 1926, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Mitchell County, according to Dr. Kenneth B. Taylor, a state geologist.
The USGS also said, “This earthquake was preceded by at least four small fore shocks ranging from M 2.1-2.6, beginning about 25 hours prior to the main shock. According to our forecast, over the next 1 Week there is a 1 % chance of one or more aftershocks that are larger than magnitude 5.1. It is likely that there will be smaller earthquakes over the next 1 Week, with 0 to 11 magnitude 3 or higher aftershocks. Magnitude 3 and above are large enough to be felt near the epicenter. The number of aftershocks will drop off over time, but a large aftershock can increase the numbers again, temporarily.”
