Rare SE Georgia Earthquake Recorded in August, State's Farthest South in 10 Years

Three earthquakes were recorded in Georgia during August, the strongest a 2.4 magnitude which occured far outside of the area where Georgia earthquakes most often occur.

Among 3 earthquakes recorded in Georgia during August, the Aug. 22 quake was the strongest. It also was Georgia's farthest south in 10 yearsPhoto byUSGS Map

The quakes were recorded and reported by the US Geological Survey, which maintains seismograph stations throughout the US.

Georgia's strongest August quake was recorded Aug. 22 at approximately 1:30 am near Hagan, GA. The quake's center was registered south of Statesboro and east of Vidalia, near the US Army's Fort Stewart. The quake registered a 2.4 magnitude according to USGS, and no damage was reported.

The early-morning earthquake was recorded significantly outside of the northern mountain area of Georgia, where most of Georgia's minor earthquakes have been recorded in the past, based on USGS data. In fact, USGS data revealed that the Aug. 22 was the southern-most quake recorded in Georgia in the past 10 years.

Three earthquakes were recorded in Georgia during August, as reported by the US Geological Survey.Photo byUSGS

Two other minor quakes shook Northeast Georgia, USGS data showed.

A magnitude 2.0 quake was recorded near Chatsworth, GA, on Aug. 2. The deep quake occured at a depth of almost six miles. No damage was reported, and USGS received no reports of the quake from residents, USGS data showed.

On Aug. 23, a magnitude 2.1 earthquake occured approximately six miles southeast of Chickamauga at 7:52 pm. Registered at a depth of approximately 10 miles below the surface, the quake was centered under the Peavine Ridge near the Catoosa and Walker county lines. No damage was reported.

Small quakes are not unusual across North Georgia. According to USGS data, nearly 200 minor earthquakes have occured in Georgia in the past 20 years. Most of those were recorded in the far Northwest corner of Georgia, in a region near Dalton and Chickamauga.

Nearly 200 minor earthquakes were recorded in Georgia over the past 10 years, with others registered nearby. Most occurred in NW GeorgiaPhoto byUSGS

Georgia's strongest earthquake in the past 10 years was a magnitude 3.9 that occured near Stillmore, GA, in June 2022, USGS data showed.