Felt all the way in Atlanta, the magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck in neighboring Meigs County at around 4:14 a.m. Wednesday morning. The quake was followed by an aftershock with 3.3 magnitude 13 minutes later.
The center of the strike near Decatur, is reported to be only eight miles away from Spring City with impact felt throughout Rhea County.
There are currently no injuries reported, but the U.S. Geological Survey has received over 6,000 reports with people saying they felt the earthquake from as far as 250 miles. Reports came from surrounding states Kentucky, Georgia, and Alabama.
With no injuries, focus shifts to Rhea County’s largest industrial powerhouse – Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. Initial reports from TVA states Watts Bar Nuclear Plant and other facilities were not impacted and continue to operate safely.
TVA facilities are designed to withstand seismic events & were not impacted by Wednesday morning’s earthquake. They continue to safely operate. Personnel are currently conducting further inspections as a precaution. Our top priority remains the safety of the public.
— Tennessee Valley Authority (@TVAnews) December 12, 2018
While no issues have been found, TVA reports they are conducting detailed inspections.
Engineers and site personnel are conducting detailed inspections at all of our facilities in the area including nuclear plants, fossil plants, and dams as a precaution after this morning’s earthquakes near Decatur, TN. All plants continue to operate safely. pic.twitter.com/NMYnyJVu6q
— Tennessee Valley Authority (@TVAnews) December 12, 2018
The earthquake is reported to be the second strongest on record to ever hit East Tennessee.
The strongest on record was a 4.7 magnitude earthquake in Blount County in 1973. There have been only three earthquakes recorded by the USGS in East Tennessee that were magnitude 4 or greater.
