3 days ago
Small NC town sees 3 quakes over 4 days, USGS says. What's causing it?
A tiny mountain town in North Carolina has seen three earthquakes over four days, and it appears to be part of a trend in 2025, U.S. Geological Survey data shows.
Rosman, with a population of about 750, had two quakes on Saturday, Aug. 9, and the third came Tuesday, Aug. 12, the USGS says.
They ranged from 1.8 magnitude to 2.1, and were centered west of town at depths of as much as 2.8 miles below the surface, experts say.
Earthquakes that low in magnitude are typically not felt by humans, but four people reported feeling shaking during the 1.8 quake on Saturday, and one person reported felt the 2.1 quake, the USGS says.
Earthquakes are not common in the area, with only a dozen reported in the past 25 years, all minor.
However, the odd thing is, eight of the 12 occurred this year, the biggest being a 2.4 on March 30, the USGS says.
Explaining that uptick is a challenge, given the region sits in the middle of the North American tectonic plate rather than along a volatile fault zone line, according to the Center for Earthquake Research and Information at the University of Memphis.
Still, the Appalachian Mountains are remnants of ancient tectonic activity dating back hundreds of millions of years, and it left the region 'littered with many ancient faults that are no longer active,' the center says.
While the region is considered relatively stable, the North American plate remains 'under compression,' which can result in an ancient fault slipping on occasion, the center reports. The result is often minor trimmers, but larger quakes have occurred in recent years, including a 5.1 magnitude in Sparta, N.C., back in 2020.
Rosman is about a 150-mile drive west from Charlotte.
What to know about earthquakes
Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.
Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.
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 you're in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a you're outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don't go you're inside: Stay and don't run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.
