Quake reported 85 miles west of Charlotte, NC, and hundreds felt it, USGS says

A 2.7-magnitude earthquake was recorded the morning of Aug. 14 near Columbus, North Carolina, and people are reporting they felt it more than 85 miles away, the U.S. Geological Survey says.

The quake occurred at about 11:14 a.m. and was centered just over 4 miles north of Columbus in Polk County. It’s believed the original of the quake was in bedrock about 3.5 miles deep, the USGS says.

More than 500 reports had been filed by noon, with most reporting they felt weak to moderate shaking.

Dozens of people in Columbus reported feeling “light” shaking, data shows. Other reports came from Black Mountain, Rutherfordton, Forest City and Arden.

Witness reports came from as far away as Charlotte (85 miles east), Monroe (116 miles east) and Atlanta, Georgia (190 miles southwest), the USGS said.

Earthquakes of magnitudes 2.5 or lower are typically not felt by people, experts say. Once above 2.5, people feel shaking and minor damage can occur.

Columbus is a small town with a population of just over 1,000 people.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office had not reported any damage attributed to the quake.

”Did you feel it?” reports can be filed at https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60612941/tellus.

What to do in an earthquake

Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:

If you’re in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.

If you’re in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.

If you’re outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.

If you’re inside: Stay and don’t run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.

“Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.”

Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.

Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.

“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” officials say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.”

This story was originally published August 14, 2025 at 12:29 PM.