News Summary

A 4.1 magnitude earthquake hit Georgia, affecting the Atlanta metro area on Saturday morning. It was felt by residents in various parts of Georgia and even in North Carolina and South Carolina. The quake occurred at a depth of 15 miles southeast of Greenback, Tennessee, around 9:04 a.m. EST. The USGS reported significant public response, with over 40,000 individuals sharing their experiences. Authorities have advised residents to secure breakable items as they monitor the situation and potential aftershocks.

Atlanta

A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck Georgia on Saturday morning, primarily affecting the Atlanta metro area and surrounding regions. The quake occurred at approximately 9:04 a.m. EST and was centered about 13 miles southeast of Greenback, Tennessee, which is approximately 200 miles north of Atlanta.

The earthquake registered at a depth of about 15 miles, classifying it as a shallow quake. Residents throughout metro Atlanta, including those in Alpharetta, Suwanee, and Forsyth, reported feeling the tremor. The earthquake’s effects extended beyond Georgia, with reports coming in from areas as far away as Asheville, North Carolina, and parts of northwest South Carolina.

More than 40,000 individuals contacted the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to report their experiences of the quake. Many expressed confusion as objects rattled in their homes. For example, one Gainesville resident noted the unexpected disturbance, while his young child remained oblivious.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, officials in Gilmer County have recommended that residents keep breakable items securely stored to avoid accidents during potential aftershocks. At this point, there have been no indications of injuries or significant damage reported from local governments.

The USGS has indicated that there is a 5% probability of an aftershock reaching a magnitude of 4 or higher within the next week. The area has a history of seismic activity, with over three dozen earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater having been recorded since 1974.

The quake’s epicenter was positioned roughly 20 kilometers (12 miles) beneath the surface, within the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, known for its numerous small fault lines. This recent tremor brings back memories of a similar incident in December 2018, where a 4.4 magnitude earthquake also affected Georgia.

Interestingly, seismic waves from this earthquake traveled further and impacted more regions than quakes typically do in the western U.S., a phenomenon attributed to the older and denser rock found in the eastern United States. Many residents reported that the shaking lasted anywhere from 15 to 30 seconds.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation while they compile information regarding the community impact and any aftershocks that may develop. The strong response from the public highlights the widespread effect of the earthquake and the heightened awareness among residents about seismic activity in the region.

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Additional Resources

• AJC: Tennessee Earthquake Rattles Homes in Metro Atlanta
• Wikipedia: Earthquake
• Atlanta News First: Tennessee Earthquake Rattles North Georgia
• Google Search: Tennessee earthquake 2025
• Fox 5 Atlanta: Earthquake Tennessee Atlanta 2025
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Earthquake
• NY Times: Earthquake Tennessee Atlanta
• Google News: Earthquake Tennessee Georgia