Strongest in 94 years: powerful earthquake hits North Carolina

On Sunday morning, August 9, an earthquake struck the North Carolina-Virginia border. According to a preliminary report by the US Geological Survey, the 5,1 earthquake occurred about 2 miles (3,2 km) from the city of Sparta, North Carolina. Writes about it CNN.

Photo: Shutterstock

According to the North Carolina Geological Survey, this is the strongest earthquake in the state since 1926.

The earthquake, with its epicenter in Allegany County, was felt even in Washington DC and Atlanta. Residents felt the tremors at approximately 08:07 am ET.

Allegany County Sheriff Brian Maines was getting ready to go to church when “all the stuff started falling,” he said. “The house seemed to move and it looked like it might fall.”

“The damage to the roof began. My chimney started to crack,” he said. — Several houses had structures damaged. There are houses that have moved 1-2 inches (2,5-5 cm) from the foundation. There are people who had to leave their homes because it was unsafe inside. It's a pretty big deal."

The Walgreens in Sparta. My aunt took this video. #earthquake #nearthquake pic.twitter.com/YT2AbdarsF

- Daniel Vogler (@ vogler79) August 9

There have been no reports of injuries, according to Sparta Mayor Wes Brinegar, but there has been damage to buildings in the city of about 1800. The mayor also said that the foundation of his house was cracked.

“It felt like a big locomotive was passing by and there was a big wave going under the bed,” the mayor said. “I've lived here all my life and I've never felt anything like this.”

A Magnitude 5.1 #earthquake struck near Sparta, North Carolina, not far from the border with Virginia, the strongest quake to hit the area in more than 100 years.

What is next # 2020

pic.twitter.com/opC5M1Zwx3

- Journal (@ Journal37082361) August 9

The US Geological Survey reports that earthquakes can be devastating if their strength reaches from 4,0 to 5,0 points. According to the US Geological Survey, a 5,3 earthquake is considered moderate.

The agency announced a green alert, which means a low probability of casualties and injuries.

City Councilor Cole Edwards was also awakened by the earthquake. According to him, no damage was done to his house, but several plates broke and several photographs fell from the walls.

On the subject: The probability of a powerful earthquake in San Francisco exceeded all expectations

The earthquake occurred at a depth of about 5,7 miles (9,17 km), which is considered a shallow earthquake. Earthquakes that occur as deep as 43 miles (69 km) are usually more destructive than deeper ones, according to the US Geological Survey.

This is the strongest earthquake in North Carolina since the strongest earthquake, magnitude 8, hit Mitchell County, about 1926 miles (50 km) northeast of Asheville, on July 80, 5,2, the North Carolina Geological Survey reported.

Meanwhile, a 5.2 magnitude #earthquake hits #Sparta, NC. ? pic.twitter.com/Awt18jE74p

- xo (@ xo21426524) August 9

Sparta is located approximately 100 miles (160 km) north of Charlotte. Rescue services of the city of Charlotte tweeted that no injuries were reported.

“Good morning Charlotte, we are sure most of you are awake because yes, there was an earthquake that you felt. There were no reports of damage or injuries,” the service wrote.

A Maines sheriff's deputy makes sure "everything is done expeditiously."

“Due to the ongoing pandemic, people are now experiencing heightened anxiety. One of the most important jobs for law enforcement right now is to calm things down so people aren't afraid, he said. — We live in a small mountain village. We have to take care of each other."

BREAKING: 5.1 earthquake hits Sparta, North Carolina (western part of state), according to US Geological Survey preliminary report.

VIDEO: Road buckles due to water main break #Sparta #wx #wxtwitter pic.twitter.com/QVeqPH1qdm

- Kelly Anne Beile (@KellyAnneTV) August 9

The Sparta area is among three seismic zones: Charleston (South Carolina), East Tennessee and central Virginia. On Saturday, August 8, and early in the morning of Sunday, August 9, several small earthquakes of magnitude 2,6 and below occurred near Sparta. Two more earthquakes hit Seymour, Tennessee over the weekend, according to the US Geological Survey.

A map from the US Geological Survey shows that the agency has received notifications from people who have felt the earthquake across the east coast. The tremors were felt over 300 miles away, in Atlanta and the nation's capital.

WOAH! ?

A #Sparta woman tells me she's been on the phone trying to contact her insurance company because this is what the #earthquake did in her kitchen. She says her 94-year-old father was here and very scared. @FOX46News pic.twitter.com/8YJiXfC5Va

- Destiny McKeiver (@DestinyM_TV) August 9

“I felt my bed shaking slightly, I knew it was an earthquake, but it wasn’t noticeable, so I assumed the source was far away,” Limaya Atembina from Rockville, Maryland, wrote on her Facebook page.

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