Two earthquakes recorded around Georgia’s Lake Lanier. Dozens felt shaking, USGS says

UPDATE: A third earthquake that measured at 2.3 magnitude was recorded north of Buford around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, June 9, the USGS reports. More than 100 people reported feeling weak shaking, officials said

The original story is below.

Two earthquakes were recorded overnight around north Georgia’s massive Lake Lanier, and dozens of people report they felt shaking in the dark, the U.S. Geological Survey reported Friday, June 7.

The quakes registered as 2.5 magnitude around 11:15 p.m. Thursday and 2.1 magnitude about two hours later.

Both were centered at the southern end of the 39,000-acre lake: The first near Buford and the other two miles southwest in Sugar Hill.

The stronger of the two quakes came from bedrock about 2.5 miles deep and more than 130 people reported feeling weak shaking, the USGS says. Most of the reports came from Buford, but nearly 50 people said they felt it in Cumming, about a 12-mile drive northeast.

A dozen people have reported feeling the second quake, the USGS said.

Earthquakes typically aren’t felt until they exceed 2.5 magnitude, experts say. That’s also the point at which minor damage can start to occur.

Decades of USGS records show earthquakes are uncommon in the area. Only one other quake — a 2.2 magnitude in 2020 — has been recorded since January 1990, records show. More than 70 witnesses reported feeling that quake.

Lake Lanier was created when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Buford Dam, flooding 47 miles of river bed. The lake has 692 miles of shoreline and is more than 200 feet deep.

What to do in an earthquake

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 brake.
• If you’re in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.
• If you’re outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.
• If you’re inside: Stay and don’t run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.

“Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.”

Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows. Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.

“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” experts say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to drop, cover, and hold on if you feel an aftershock.”

This story was originally published June 7, 2024 at 7:26 AM.