SPARTA, N.C. (AP) — Officials say an earthquake has shaken much of North Carolina, rattling homes, buildings and residents. The National Weather Service in Greenville said the 5.1-magnitude temblor struck Sparta at 8:07 a.m. Sunday, following a much smaller quake several hours earlier. The weather service said it was the largest earthquake to hit the state since 1916, when a magnitude 5.5 quake occurred near Skyland. There were no immediate reports injuries, but some minor damage to buildings in Sparta was reported. The U.S. Geological Service said the quake’s epicenter was about 2.5 miles (four kilometers) southeast of Sparta, just south of the Virginia-North Carolina border.
![Earthquake-North Carolina](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9f01c8b/2147483647/strip/true/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmediaassets.wmar.com%2Fapimages%2F7cb894457eac457c9c7077d1cbd93ef5.jpg)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Various items litter the floor of the 4 Brothers Store in Sparta, N.C. after an earthquake shook much of North Carolina early Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. (Michael Hull via AP)
![Earthquake-North Carolina](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9f01c8b/2147483647/strip/true/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmediaassets.wmar.com%2Fapimages%2F7cb894457eac457c9c7077d1cbd93ef5.jpg)
Posted
and last updated
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.