Georgia Earthquake Hits Near Augusta

AUGUSTA, GA — A relatively minor earthquake caused tremors in east Georgia on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The 3.0 magnitude quake hit around 11:15 a.m. about 4 miles southwest of Augusta, the USGS reported. The quake happened about 9 miles below ground, according to the agency, which runs the nation's Earthquakes Hazard Program.

On social media, residents of the Augusta area reported feeling the ground shake around the time of the quake.

There were no immediate reports of significant damage from the quake. Several local residents described hearing a "boom" and saying they thought a car or something else had hit their homes.

A magnitude 3.0 earthquake is not considered a particularly strong one. There are about 30,000 quakes in the magnitude 2.5-5.4 range each year in the United States, and they usually only do minor damage.

The USGS reported that earthquakes have been reported in the east Georgia region since at least 1776. The area usually gets small earthquakes but has suffered infrequent damage from larger ones.

The largest earthquake ever in the area — a magnitude 5.1 temblor — happened in 1916. Moderately damaging earthquakes strike the area every few decades, and smaller ones are felt about once each year or two, the USGS said.

Photo courtesy United States Geological Survey