Northwest Georgia experiences multiple small earthquakes in recent weeks
This year, 20 earthquakes have been recorded across Georgia, with 12 occurring in the northwest region, according to USGS data. Three small earthquakes were noted in northern Georgia during a four-day span from late March to early April. On March 29, a 2.1 magnitude quake struck the town of Trion at approximately 4 a.m., with its epicenter located 3 miles deep. About 10 residents reported feeling the tremor, which is classified as a shallow quake at a depth of roughly 3.5 miles. Northwest Georgia lies within the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, one of three seismic zones in the state, making it the most active area for seismic activity. Officials indicated that this region typically experiences one magnitude 4.0 earthquake every five to ten years. The other two earthquakes recorded during this period were a 1.9 and a 2.0 magnitude, occurring on April 2 in Grovetown, near the South Carolina border. No significant damage was reported, and residents about 100 miles northwest of Atlanta would need to be particularly attentive to notice any shaking, as none of the quakes exceeded a magnitude of 2.6. Historically, over three dozen earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater have been documented in Georgia since 1974, although the East Coast is less active compared to the West Coast. Additionally, a 2.4 magnitude earthquake occurred in Walker County on a Sunday morning, and a 4.1 magnitude quake from Tennessee was felt as far as metro Atlanta in May.
