Earthquake shakes Atlanta, Georgia suburbs

An earthquake struck north and east of Atlanta Thursday night, prompting more than 150 people to go to their website to report feeling tremors in Georgia, according to the USGS. The magnitude 2.5 earthquake occurred at a depth of 2.5 miles (4.1 km) near the town of Buford at 11:15 p.m. Although shaking was felt throughout the area, no damage or injuries were reported.

According to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA), about 15 percent of the world’s earthquakes are scattered in regions like Georgia without clearly defined active faults. Although earthquakes in Georgia are relatively rare, scattered earthquakes have caused significant damage and are an important consideration for homeowners. Counties in northwest Georgia, border counties in South Carolina, and counties in central and west-central Georgia are most at risk.

GEMA recommends that Georgia residents prepare for the risk of devastating earthquakes, especially if they are in the northern Georgia counties of Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Towns, Union. , Walker and Whitfield, the border counties of Burke, Chatham, Columbia, Effingham, Elbert, Lincoln, Richmond and Screven, and the central and west-central counties of Twiggs, Bibb, Jones, Baldwin, Hancock, Greene, Putnam . , Butts, Jasper, Newton, Morgan, Walton, Harris and Muscogee.

GEMA writes: “It is important to be aware of your seismic risk and know how to protect yourself. » They encourage people to take a moment now to learn the basic steps to take before, during and after an earthquake.