Rock Hill residents jolted by 5.1 magnitude earthquake more than 100 miles away in NC
York County residents felt an earthquake Sunday that was centered about 100 miles north of the Charlotte area.
According to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, no earthquake has been confirmed in the state, but it’s possible South Carolinians felt a 5.1 magnitude quake in North Carolina.
The earthquake centered in Sparta, North Carolina, which is near the Virginia border, happened just after 8 a.m. and registered at a 5.1 on the Richter scale, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
It was the second earthquake in 12 hours centered in that region. The first was a 2.6 magnitude earthquake that happened shortly before 2 a.m., officials said. The second occurred at 8:07 a.m., according to the USGS.
York County Emergency Management said on Twitter the quake was felt across the county. Sparta, located in Alleghany County, is more than 120 miles north of Rock Hill.
The earthquake was felt throughout South Carolina, extending to Columbia and Greenville, and in several states, including Virginia and Tennessee, according to the USGS.
Sunday’s earthquake was the largest to hit North Carolina since 1916, according to the National Weather Service, when a 5.2 magnitude earthquake happened just outside of Asheville, North Carolina.
Multiple people from Rock Hill and Fort Mill posted on social media about waking up from the rattling and shaking. Many posts mentioned windows and walls clattering, while some said they felt their entire house shake.
York County Emergency Management Director Chuck Haynes said the office has received several dozens calls throughout the morning from residents all over the county asking about the quake, however there’s been no reports of damage in the area.
Haynes said if any residents experienced damage, they can report it to the county emergency management office.
Anyone who experienced the earthquake is asked to report it to the USGS, so the agency can determine the precise magnitude.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
This story was originally published August 9, 2020 at 9:45 AM.
