Two earthquakes happened Sunday on opposite sides of NC golf course, USGS says

Golfers had a legitimate excuse for missing strokes on Easter when two earthquakes rattled opposite sides of the Holly Ridge Golf Links southeast of Archdale, North Carolina.

The first happened just east of the 18-hole course around 2:15 p.m. and the second was just west of it, about 30 minutes later, the U.S. Geological Survey reports.

Both were 2.3 magnitude, which is below the threshold for damage, but strong enough for some people to feel.

Witnesses have reported feeling both earthquakes in communities as far away as Randleman (64 miles away) and High Point (80 miles away), the USGS says. Holly Ridge Golf Links was open on Easter, but it’s not clear if any golfers felt the earth move.

Geologists say the earthquakes were centered from a half mile deep to 3.5 miles deep.

A search of USGS records shows earthquakes are rare in the Archdale area, with only one other quake reported in the past 26 years: a 2.0 in August 2022.

Archdale is about an 80-mile drive northeast from uptown Charlotte.

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 April 6, 2026 at 6:05 AM with the headline "Two earthquakes happened Sunday on opposite sides of NC golf course, USGS says."