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By Beth Stibal |

UPDATED: Earthquake Rattles Parts of Eastern, Southern U.S.

An earthquake rattled parts of the eastern U.S., near the Virginia/North Carolina line, Sunday morning.

It happened at 8:07 a.m., and was centered near Sparta, North Carolina.

The tremor measured as a 5.1 magnitude on the richter scale.

The depth of the quake is measured at 3.7 km, or roughly two miles.

According to reports from the US Geological Survey, the quake could be felt in areas including as far north as Lynchburg, Virginia; as far south as Atlanta, Georgia; as far east as Greenville and as far west as Nashville, Tennessee.

There are no reports of any damage.

Numerous aftershocks, many of which could be felt around the immediate vicinity of the 5.1-magnitude quake, are likely for up to a week, as the earth continues to settle, shift and release stress.

USGS says the largest earthquake in the North Carolina area occurred in 1916. when a magnitude 5.2 earthquake, with an intensity of VII (7) on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, struck near Skyland in Buncombe County.

“The USGS advises everyone to be aware of the possibility of aftershocks, especially when in or around vulnerable structures such as unreinforced masonry buildings,” the website reads.

This is a developing story.