An earthquake was reported near Lake Lanier on Thursday night, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Residents in Buford, Suwanee, and the Lake Lanier areas reported feeling the tremor around 11:15 p.m., with one resident, Alicia Phillips, saying the quake shook her entire home near Buford Dam.
“I was just sitting on the couch when the whole house started to shake,” Phillips shared. “It was a bit scary, but thankfully it didn’t last long.”
Another resident, Lyss Hawn, reported feeling the rumble in her home down in south Forsyth County. “It felt like a big truck was passing by, but then I realized it was something more when it didn’t stop,” Hawn said.
Reports from USGS indicated that the 2.5-magnitude earthquake had a depth of 2.5 miles.
While this type of quake would generally cause very light damage, it was considered to have a moderate intensity for shaking and may have been felt by many in the area.
The Georgia Tech Educational Earthquake Network also picked up on the earthquake from their seismograph in Grant Park, Atlanta.
“Our equipment detected the quake almost immediately,” a spokesperson from the network noted. “Even though it was a relatively minor event, it’s always interesting to see how these tremors are recorded and felt by the community.”
The initial quake wasn’t the only one felt that night.
At 1:30 a.m., another earthquake occurred near the original spot, this time with a magnitude of 2.1.
The depth of the second earthquake was 5.3 miles.
This second tremor was rated as having a level 4 intensity, meaning residents may have felt a light amount of shaking.
However, no damage would have been caused by an earthquake this weak.
Despite the low magnitude of both earthquakes, the experiences left a mark on the local community.
“It’s not something you expect to happen here,” Phillips said. “We’re used to storms, not earthquakes. It definitely took us by surprise.”
For many residents, the experience served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural events.
“It just goes to show that you never know what can happen,” Hawn reflected. “It’s important to stay prepared for anything.”
The USGS continues to monitor seismic activity in the area, ensuring that residents are kept informed about any future events.
For now, the community is taking the minor quakes in stride, grateful that the damage was minimal and no one was hurt.
I don’t know what it’s going to take or what kind of sign y’all need to stay away from Lake Lanier…
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