4.1-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Tennessee, Tremors Felt Across Six States

A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Greenback, Tennessee, early Saturday morning, shaking parts of eastern and southern Kentucky, Tennessee, and surrounding states including Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and Virginia. The quake, which was initially reported as 3.5, occurred about 12 to 16 miles underground and was felt as far as Atlanta and the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Over 23,000 public reports of the tremor were received by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the first hour, highlighting the widespread impact of the event. Despite the extensive shaking, officials reported no injuries or major damage, though a gas leak was briefly reported in West Knox County and a portion of the Foothills Parkway West in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was closed for inspection. The earthquake occurred within the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, one of the most active seismic regions in the southeastern United States, where earthquakes are typically felt over a much larger area due to geological factors. The USGS has warned of a small chance of aftershocks in the coming week and emphasized the importance of preparedness in the region.