2.1 magnitude earthquake reported in east Ga. near South Carolina border

The Sunday earthquake was confirmed in Lincolnton, Georgia.

Credit: U.S. Geological Survey

Credit: U.S. Geological Survey

The Sunday earthquake was confirmed in Lincolnton, Georgia.

Parts of east Georgia along the South Carolina border were rattled by a minor earthquake early Sunday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A 2.1 magnitude quake was reported near Lincolnton at Elijah Clark State Park around 3 a.m., the agency said. The shallow quake had a depth of about 3.4 miles.

People living in adjacent parts of Georgia and Tennessee and in the inland part of North and South Carolina have felt small quakes and experienced damage from infrequent larger ones over the years, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The largest earthquake in the area occurred in 1916 and was 4.1 magnitude.

The most recent earthquake in the area was reported five months ago between Washington and Lincolnton and was 2.3 magnitude. Another 1.8 magnitude earthquake nearby in Thomson was reported six months ago.