Middlesboro, Kentucky – A brief but noticeable jolt was felt across parts of far southeastern Kentucky and northeastern Tennessee late Sunday night after a small earthquake struck near the state line. While the shaking startled some residents, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the earthquake measured magnitude 2.6 and occurred about 10 kilometers southwest of Middlesboro, at a depth of approximately 15 miles. The quake was recorded Sunday night and, despite its low magnitude, was shallow enough to be felt in nearby communities.
The epicenter was located near the Kentucky–Tennessee border, with light shaking reported in areas including Middlesboro, Cumberland Gap, and parts of Claiborne County, Tennessee. Residents in the Knoxville area were unlikely to notice the quake, although seismic instruments detected activity across a broader portion of eastern Tennessee and southern Kentucky.
Local emergency management officials said there were no disruptions to roads, utilities, or infrastructure. Small earthquakes are relatively common in the Appalachian region and rarely cause damage, though they can be surprising for people not accustomed to seismic activity.
Officials do not expect aftershocks but encourage anyone who felt the shaking to submit reports to the USGS to help improve regional earthquake monitoring. Authorities will continue tracking activity along the border region, and no additional alerts are currently in effect.
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