Two earthquakes reported in North Carolina. Witnesses felt the shaking, USGS says
Two earthquakes were documented over a 25-hour period in western North Carolina, and witnesses have reported feeling shaking in both cases, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
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The first quake was around 7:30 a.m. Saturday near Canton, and the second came just before 8 a.m. Sunday, about 26 miles northeast in the Weaverville area, the USGS says.
Data shows the source of the Canton earthquake was centered nearly 4 miles deep, and the origin of the Weaverville quake was centered just over 2 miles deep.
Both measured at 2.0 magnitude, and witnesses described the shaking as weak, data shows.
Weaverville and Canton are about a 140-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte.
Among the witnesses was one person who reported feeling weak shaking 135-miles away from Canton in Lexington, South Carolina, the USGS says.
Earthquakes of 2.5 magnitude or lower are typically not felt by people, experts say. Once above 2.5, shaking becomes widespread and minor damage can occur. Significant damage to buildings and structures begins to happen when the magnitude tops 5.5, experts say.
The mountains of western North Carolina sit in the middle of the North American tectonic plate rather than along its volatile fault lines, according to the Center for Earthquake Research and Information at the University of Memphis.
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Still, the Appalachian Mountains are remnants of ancient tectonic activity dating back hundreds of millions of years, and the region remains “littered with many ancient faults that are no longer active,” the center says.
While the region is considered stable, the North American plate remains “under compression,” which can result in an ancient fault slipping on occasion, the center reports.
Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:
The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
“Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” Read.gov reports. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.”
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows. Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.
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