Third earthquake rattles NC the morning after two others hit, geologists say
A third earthquake rattled a North Carolina region the morning after two others hit, geologists said.
All three quakes shook the area near Sparta, a roughly 70-mile drive northwest from Winston-Salem, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The first tremor — a 2.3 magnitude quake — was reported at about 4:40 a.m. Tuesday, June 18. It was about 3 miles deep and hit roughly 1.2 miles east of Sparta.
The second 2.3-magnitude quake hit less than an hour later, at about 5:15 a.m. June 18. That quake had a depth of 2 miles and was about 3 miles southeast of Sparta, according to the USGS.
More than a dozen people reported feeling each of the tremors, accompanied with light shaking and no damage.
Seven people told the USGS they felt the third quake, reporting moderate shaking and “very light” damage. That one one hit just after 1 a.m. June 19. The 2.1-magnitude tremor had a depth of less than a mile when it rattled an area about a half-mile southeast of Sparta.
Each year, there are millions of earthquakes that are at or below 2.5 magnitude. Those quakes are “usually not felt, but can be recorded by seismograph,” according to Michigan Technological University.
In 2020, a stronger 5.1-magnitude earthquake left extensive damage in the Sparta area, McClatchy News reported.
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.”
