DECATUR, Tennessee-- Early this morning, the Volunteer State of Tennessee saw the second-strongest earthquake on record. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck eastern Tennessee and could be felt as far away as Atlanta.
The earthquake occurred Wednesday around 4:14 a.m. about 7 miles northeast of Decatur. About 13 minutes later, a 3.3 magnitude aftershock struck.
We're following breaking news from Tennessee where a magnitude 4.4 #Earthquake jostled people out of bed. pic.twitter.com/8ICx4JyQ59
— EricSorensen (@ERICSORENSEN) December 12, 2018
This is strong enough to cause cracks in foundations and walls, but no widespread damage is expected. According to the National Weather Service, a magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck Eastern Tennessee in 1973.
-Meteorologist Eric Sorensen