The U.S. Geological Survey just reported an earthquake in Hickory, NC, about 30 miles North West of Charlotte.
According to the USGS, the magnitude 1.62 quake had a depth of 1.3 km and an epicenter of 35.675°N 81.331°W;
Earthquakes have been increasing in frequency around the Charlotte region over the past few years, about a year ago, we saw a 2.9 magnitude quake hit Asheville and a 2.1 magnitude quake that struck Bryson City, NC.
The Carolinas have been known to experience the occasional damage-causing earthquakes.
According to USGS.gov, “The largest earthquake in the area (magnitude 5.1) occurred in 1916. Moderately damaging earthquakes strike the inland Carolinas every few decades, and smaller earthquakes are felt about once each year or two.”