United States

Earthquakes in North Carolina

USGS recorded 7 earthquakes in and around North Carolina in the last 30 days and 119 in the last year, counting everything of magnitude 1.0 and above. The strongest in that year measured M 3.0.

M 1.6 · 8 km E of Englewood, Tennessee · 2026-08-24 04:31 UTC M 1.8 · 8 km E of Englewood, Tennessee · 2026-08-24 04:30 UTC M 2.0 · 3 km SW of Tellico Village, Tennessee · 2026-08-25 20:44 UTC M 2.0 · 1 km S of Tellico Village, Tennessee · 2026-09-09 13:58 UTC M 2.1 · 8 km W of Rosman, North Carolina · 2026-09-01 10:29 UTC M 2.1 · 5 km NNE of Greenback, Tennessee · 2026-09-13 16:02 UTC M 2.1 · 1 km S of Tellico Village, Tennessee · 2026-09-09 13:57 UTC

Recent earthquakes in and around North Carolina

Last 30 days, newest first as of 2026-09-23 05:14 UTC

Magnitude Location Depth When (UTC)
M 2.1 5 km NNE of Greenback, Tennessee 9.2 km deep 2026-09-13 16:02 UTC
M 2.0 1 km S of Tellico Village, Tennessee 16.5 km deep 2026-09-09 13:58 UTC
M 2.1 1 km S of Tellico Village, Tennessee 16.8 km deep 2026-09-09 13:57 UTC
M 2.1 8 km W of Rosman, North Carolina 3.3 km deep 2026-09-01 10:29 UTC
M 2.0 3 km SW of Tellico Village, Tennessee 10.0 km deep 2026-08-25 20:44 UTC
M 1.6 8 km E of Englewood, Tennessee 10.0 km deep 2026-08-24 04:31 UTC
M 1.8 8 km E of Englewood, Tennessee 10.7 km deep 2026-08-24 04:30 UTC

The largest on record in and around North Carolina

Since 1900, when the instrumental record becomes usable. The largest is M 5.2 at Near Asheville, North Carolina on 1916-02-21: moderate: can damage poorly built structures.

Largest since 1900 USGS

Magnitude Location Date Depth
M 5.2 Near Asheville, North Carolina 1916-02-21 Not recorded
M 5.1 4 km SE of Sparta, North Carolina 2020-08-09 4.1 km deep
M 4.7 1 km NE of Alcoa, Tennessee 1973-11-30 3.0 km deep
M 4.5 5 km S of Greeneville, Tennessee 1928-11-03 5.0 km deep
M 4.3 8 km N of Lincolnton, Georgia 1974-08-02 1.0 km deep
M 4.3 1 km ESE of Middlesboro, Kentucky 1954-01-02 Not recorded
M 4.3 Union County, South Carolina 1913-01-01 Not recorded
M 4.2 2 km SSE of Vonore, Tennessee 1987-03-27 18.5 km deep
M 4.2 3 km SE of Vonore, Tennessee 1987-03-27 19.5 km deep
M 4.1 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee 2025-05-10 25.4 km deep

How these numbers were counted

Counts include every earthquake of magnitude 1.0 and above that USGS located in and around North Carolina. The search is a latitude and longitude rectangle covering North Carolina. No region is a rectangle, so events just outside the border can appear; each row shows the location text USGS published, which names the nearest town. Full method, including why counts from different places are not comparable.

Source: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (FDSN event service). Retrieved 2026-09-23. Public domain.