ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — If you felt a slight shake early Monday morning, you’re not imagining things.
A small earthquake struck near Weaverville at 6:36 a.m. Monday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The magnitude 1.7 quake was centered about 5 miles east-northeast of Weaverville and occurred at a depth of about 3.3 miles. Earthquakes of that size are often too weak to cause damage but can sometimes be felt by people near the epicenter.
The tremor is the latest in a series of minor earthquakes recorded in Western North Carolina in recent weeks.
On June 1, a magnitude 1.9 earthquake was recorded near Clyde. The quake struck at 11:42 p.m. and was centered about 4 miles south-southeast of Clyde at a depth of roughly 2.7 miles. Residents reported feeling the shaking through the USGS “Did You Feel It?” program.
Another magnitude 1.9 earthquake occurred May 16 near Weaverville. That tremor was recorded at 4:39 a.m. and was centered about 5 miles east of town at a depth of approximately 2.6 miles.
Western North Carolina is no stranger to small earthquakes. The region sits within the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, one of the most active earthquake areas in the southeastern United States. While most quakes are minor and cause little or no damage, they serve as a reminder that the mountains remain geologically active.
Anyone who felt Monday’s earthquake can report their experience through the USGS “Did You Feel It?” website.