LaFayette, GA — Homes and businesses across Walker County were rattled Saturday morning by the tremors of a 4.1 magnitude earthquake that originated in neighboring Tennessee, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake struck just after 9 a.m. EDT, with its epicenter located approximately 12 miles from Greenback, Tennessee — about 30 miles south of Knoxville and roughly 90 miles from the Walker County line. Despite the distance, the earthquake’s force was strong enough to shake structures throughout northwest Georgia and the tri-state area.
Local residents across Walker County, including communities in LaFayette, Chickamauga, and Rossville, reported feeling sudden vibrations that caused windows to rattle and furniture to shift. Some initially believed it was a nearby explosion or thunderstorm, only to later learn it was a seismic event.
Emergency services in the area have not reported any injuries or significant damage as of Saturday afternoon, but authorities are encouraging residents to report any structural issues that may have occurred.
“It felt like a truck slammed into the side of the house,” said a resident in Flintstone, who described hearing a loud rumble just before their home began to tremble.
The tremor was also felt across a wide swath of the Southeast, reaching south of Atlanta and parts of western North Carolina. Meteorologists and broadcasters in Chattanooga and across Georgia took to social media to confirm they, too, experienced the quake.
Earthquakes of this magnitude are relatively rare in this region, but not unheard of. The USGS is continuing to monitor the situation and may update the preliminary magnitude after further analysis.
Residents are reminded that aftershocks, though unlikely, can still occur in the hours or days following a quake. Authorities suggest securing items that could fall and reviewing emergency plans just in case.