Small earthquake reported in middle Georgia

HOUSTON COUNTY – An earthquake shook middle Georgia on Tuesday, Feb. 25 with a reported 2.4 magnitude, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The earthquake was reported Northwest of Cochran. However, according to the USGS, it could be felt in Warner Robins, Perry and Macon. 

Dr. Lawrence Camarota, Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Sciences at Middle Georgia State University explained the science behind earthquakes. He said they are caused by tectonic plates, segments stuck together that make up the earth’s crust. 

Camarota shared North America sits on a tectonic plate. He said there are a few tectonic plates in the Atlantic Ocean and South America. According to Camarota, tectonic plates moving around is the cause of volcanoes and earthquakes. 

As large objects, they slide along each other, but their edges want to stick together. However, since the tectonic plates are large enough, they will bend as they move. Camarota explained eventually they’ll be far too distorted to push past each other, and those edges will snap.

“Because they’re bending, they act like ginormous springs, which means they store a lot of energy, and all of that energy gets released into shaking where they are, that’s the epicenter, but also that shaking spreads out and arranged around the nearby earth,” he said.

According to Camarota, earthquakes occur all the time, even in Georgia. He said most earthquakes are too small to notice. Earthquakes are typically more common at the edges of tectonic plates, for example in places like California. This is where the American tectonic plate and the Pacific tectonic plate meet, Camarota said.

A 2.0 magnitude means it is on the Richter scale and the earthquake is very small. Camarota said it’s large enough to be felt if a person is paying attention, but rarely causes damage. He advises people to do nothing since they will only slightly feel something.

For larger earthquakes, he said it will depend. If someone is in a building designed to withstand earthquakes, which are common in California, then they will be safe inside. Camarota said it depends on the environment.

A 4.0 or more magnitude is when the earth significantly shakes. He advises people to get under something like a desk, table or inside a door jamb since it is the part of the wall that’s structurally supported. Camarota also said if someone is not in a well-constructed area, it would be better to get out in the open so nothing can fall on them.

“Your two big dangers of earthquakes are either things falling on you or the building you’re in falling,” he said. “So, to keep things from falling on you, get under something that’s sturdy. Get under a table, get under a desk or get under a door jamb. For the building, if your building is strong enough, you’re safe inside the building. If the building is not strong enough, you need to get out.”

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