Strong Earthquake Hits East Tennessee

Strong Earthquake Hits East Tennessee – Around Wednesday morning around 4:14 am a 4.4 earthquake hit East Tennessee and could be felt in Atlanta, GA according to The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Strong Earthquake Hits East Tennessee

Not olnly that but the USGS reporting 3 aftershocks following that earthquake. This was the second strongest earthquake to 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.



The earthquake occurred in the northeast of Decatur, TN (Meigs County). Decatur, TN is almost between Knoxville, TN and Chattanooga, TN.

About 13 minutes later, a 3.3 magnitude aftershock then struck.

A second and third aftershock, registering 1.3 and 1.4 magnitudes respectively, was felt at 5:00 a.m. and 5:41 a.m.

There did not appear to be any immediate reports of injuries. However, the USGS said it received approximately 6,000 reports from people saying they felt the earthquake from as far away as 250 miles. Reports came from surrounding states Kentucky, Georgia, and Alabama.

The quake appeared to occur along the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, a southwest-to-northeast belt extending from Alabama to far southwest Virginia that is the second-most active quake zone in the central and eastern U.S. behind the more notorious New Madrid zone.

Back in 2016, I blogged about East Tennessee having an Earth Quake. That was a 2.4 in New Market, TN (Jefferson County).

Earthquakes in the Bible

Earthquakes were even mentioned in the Bible too. According to BibleGateway.com earthquake is found 17 times in the New King James Version.

Below is an example of some of those 17 found. I used 9 of the 17 time used.

Bible references

  • For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. Matthew 24:7
  • So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54
  • And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. Matthew 28:2
  • For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. Mark 13:8
  • And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:11
  • Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. Acts 16:26
  • [ Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances ] I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. Revelation 6:12
  • In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13
  • And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Revelation 16:18

God used earthquakes

God used earthquake when Paul and Silas was in prison. There was an earthquake when Jesus died on the Cross, as well as, when the stone rolled away from the tomb of Jesus. Not to mention, earthquakes deal with the end of times too. Let me say no man knows the hour when the Lord will come!

About the Author

Author: Steve Patterson

A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.

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