There was a small 2.3 earthquake near LaFayette, GA on Friday evening around 7pm. Some felt a little rattle and others heard some creaking, but no damage was reported according to the USGS (United States Geological Survey). However, there have been multiple small earthquakes in the area over the last 5 or 6 months (see graphics).
Fortunately for us, earthquakes, especially larger scale ones, are typically in states like California or Alaska, not here. Still, small earthquakes are fairly common in Georgia and we typically experience between 10 and 20 with a magnitude above 2.0 annually, according to Andy Newman, professor of geophysics at Georgia Tech.
As to what causes these quakes, experts really do not know. What is known is that Walker County sits at the end of an active area known as the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, which experiences small earthquakes quite regularly. According to the USGS our earthquakes tend to be more shallow and not as deep as other areas in Georgia, and they do not necessarily mean they will be a precursor to a larger event.
by Heather Lynn