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Writer's pictureBrian Luke

SIX Earthquakes in Sparta, NC Area over Weekend

ALERT: Magnatude 5.1 - 4 km SE of Sparta, North Carolina AFTERSHOCKS LIKELY

ALERT: Areas near N. Wilkesborough report Moderate Damage,


5.1 MT 4 KM SE of Sparta, NC 3.7 KM 8/9 8:07 Hrs Sunday

2.2 MT 4KM SSE of Sparta, NC 6.3KM 8/9 Sunday

2.6 MT 4KM SSE of Sparta, NC 4.1KM 8/9 Sunday

2.3 MT 4KM SSE of Sparta, NC 13.7 KM 8/8 Saturday

2.3 MT 5km SE of Sparta, NC 2.7 KM 8/8 2.1 4KM ESE of Sparta, NC 9.3 KM 8/8


SPARTANBURG, SC: Remnents of a 5.1 magnatude earthquake with an epicenter of 4km SE of North Carolina could be felt in the HUB City this morning as Spartanites started their Sunday morning. The quake could be described as a lite shaking, like your phone going off.

  • 2020-08-09 12:07:37 (UTC)

  • 36.476°N 81.093°W

  • 3.7 km depth

  • Felt as far as Altanta


According to the USGS: The epicenters seem to be along one street, for one row and two along a line nearby.


Hopper's Dairy Road

Manogony Road

Gallary Ln

between Tedder Rd and Rt 21







Be ready for more earthquakes

  • More earthquakes than usual (called aftershocks) will continue to occur near the mainshock.

  • When there are more earthquakes, the chance of a large earthquake is greater which means that the chance of damage is greater.

  • The USGS advises everyone to be aware of the possibility of aftershocks, especially when in or around vulnerable structures such as unreinforced masonry buildings.

  • This earthquake could be part of a sequence. An earthquake sequence may have larger and potentially damaging earthquakes in the future, so remember to: Drop, Cover, and Hold on.





What we think will happen next

According to our forecast, over the next 1 Week there is a 4 % chance of one or more aftershocks that are larger than magnitude 5.1. It is likely that there will be smaller earthquakes over the next 1 Week, with 0 to 54 magnitude 3 or higher aftershocks. Magnitude 3 and above are large enough to be felt near the epicenter. The number of aftershocks will drop off over time, but a large aftershock can increase the numbers again, temporarily.

More details about the earthquake forecast are provided in the section “Our detailed aftershock forecast” below.

About this earthquake and related aftershocks


So far in this sequence there have been 0 magnitude 3 or higher earthquakes, which are strong enough to be felt, and 0 magnitude 5 or higher earthquakes, which are large enough to do damage.


Our detailed aftershock forecast

The USGS estimates the chance of more aftershocks as follows: Within the next 1 Week until 2020-08-16 14:10:00 (UTC):

  • The chance of an earthquake of magnitude 3 or higher is 56 %, and it is most likely that as few as 0 or as many as 54 such earthquakes may occur in the case that the sequence is re-invigorated by a larger aftershock.

  • The chance of an earthquake of magnitude 5 or higher is 5 %, and it is most likely that as few as 0 or as many as 2 such earthquakes may occur.

  • The chance of an earthquake of magnitude 6 or higher is 1 in 200, such an earthquake is possible but with a low probability.

  • The chance of an earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher is 1 in 2,000, such an earthquake is possible but with a low probability.

About our earthquake forecasts

No one can predict the exact time or place of any earthquake, including aftershocks. Our earthquake forecasts give us an understanding of the chances of having more earthquakes within a given time period in the affected area. We calculate this earthquake forecast using a statistical analysis based on past earthquakes.

Our forecast changes as time passes due to decline in the frequency of aftershocks, larger aftershocks that may trigger further earthquakes, and changes in forecast modeling based on the data collected for this earthquake sequence.

This forecast was issued: 2020-08-09 14:07:37 (UTC)

This forecast will be updated on or before 2020-08-16 14:07:37 (UTC)

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