Earthquakes in Atlanta: How Often They Happen and What You Should Know

If you live in Atlanta or you’re planning a visit, you might wonder: Does Atlanta have earthquakes? The short answer is yes, but they are usually small and infrequent. Atlanta is not known as a major earthquake city like Los Angeles or San Francisco, but mild tremors can and do occur from time to time.

This guide explains how earthquakes affect Atlanta, Georgia, what level of risk exists here, and what practical steps locals and visitors might want to take.

Does Atlanta Get Earthquakes?

Atlanta does experience earthquakes, but most are:

• Low in magnitude
• Short in duration
• Too weak to cause serious damage

Many of the quakes that occur in or near Atlanta are so small that most people never feel them. When people in Atlanta do feel shaking, it is commonly from an earthquake whose center is elsewhere in the Southeast, such as eastern Tennessee or north Georgia.

Atlanta is not on a major plate boundary. Instead, it is part of what’s called the “intraplate” region of the United States, where smaller, scattered earthquakes can happen due to older fault lines deep in the earth’s crust.

How Common Are Earthquakes in Atlanta?

Frequency of Earthquakes

In the Atlanta area:

• Minor earthquakes happen occasionally, some years having none felt by the public.
• The majority are small tremors (often below magnitude 3.0).
• Strong, damaging earthquakes are considered unlikely, but not impossible over long time periods.

People in Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, or Sandy Springs might feel a brief rumble every few years, often described as:

• A quick vibration or jolt
• A sound like a heavy truck passing by
• Light rattling of windows or dishes

These events are usually short and mild, with no lasting local impacts.

Why Does Atlanta Have Earthquakes at All?

Atlanta sits within the eastern U.S. interior, far from the big plate boundaries that drive frequent quakes on the West Coast. However, the crust under Georgia contains ancient faults that can still move slightly.

These small movements:

• Release built-up stress deep underground
• Can cause small to moderate earthquakes
• Sometimes transmit shaking over wide areas, since eastern rock layers can carry energy farther than in the western U.S.

That’s why a quake centered in east Tennessee, north Alabama, or north Georgia can sometimes be felt in metro Atlanta even if the center is more than a hundred miles away.

How Strong Are Earthquakes in Atlanta, Typically?

Most earthquakes that affect Atlanta fall into the “light” to “minor” range. Here’s a simple way to understand what that usually means:

Quakes strong enough to cause serious structural damage to modern buildings in Atlanta are uncommon and not part of ordinary life here. However, older or poorly maintained structures could be more vulnerable to a stronger regional event.

Where Do Earthquakes That Affect Atlanta Usually Come From?

When metro Atlanta feels an earthquake, it is often linked to one of a few broader seismic zones in the Southeast:

• Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone
  A very active area running through eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. Quakes here are sometimes felt across Georgia, including Downtown Atlanta, the airport area, and surrounding suburbs.

• North Georgia and Alabama Faults
  Earthquakes can occur in north Georgia, sometimes felt in places like Marietta, Roswell, and Johns Creek, especially in upper floors of buildings.

• More distant Eastern U.S. events
  On rare occasions, a stronger earthquake in another state in the eastern U.S. can be felt faintly in Atlanta as a gentle sway or rattle.

The center (epicenter) of these quakes is usually outside the city, but the shaking can reach the metro area.

Is Atlanta at High Risk for a Big Earthquake?

For everyday planning and life, Atlanta is not considered a high-risk earthquake city. People and local government typically focus more on:

• Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes
• Flooding and heavy rain
• Winter ice storms and heat emergencies

That said, building codes and emergency plans in the region often take earthquake resistance into account, especially for:

• Hospitals and critical facilities
• Newer high-rise buildings in Midtown and Downtown
• Major transportation and utility structures

The overall message for residents and visitors:
Earthquakes are part of the natural background risk in Atlanta, but they are not a frequent or dominant danger.

What Do Earthquakes Feel Like in Atlanta?

If you’re in a building in Atlanta when a mild quake occurs, you might experience:

• A sudden jolt or bump, like something hit the building
• A brief swaying sensation, more noticeable on higher floors
• Rattling of windows, blinds, or hanging objects
• A low rumbling sound that lasts a few seconds

Most people report being more surprised than harmed. Many are unsure if they experienced an earthquake until they see others talking about it.

Should People in Atlanta Prepare for Earthquakes?

Even though the risk is moderate, basic preparedness is still useful, especially since many safety steps help with other emergencies too.

Simple Preparedness Steps for Atlanta Residents

You don’t need California-level planning, but it can help to:

• 🧯 Secure heavy items
  Anchor tall bookcases, TVs, and large mirrors, especially in:

  • High-rise apartments or condos
  • Older homes in neighborhoods like Grant Park, Inman Park, or Virginia-Highland

• 📦 Keep an emergency kit
  A small kit that works for storms, power outages, and rare quakes might include:

  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Bottled water and non-perishable food
  • Basic first-aid supplies
  • Copies of important documents

• 🧠 Know “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”
  If you feel strong shaking:

  1. Drop to your hands and knees
  2. Cover your head and neck and get under a sturdy table or desk if possible
  3. Hold on until the shaking stops

These same actions are recommended across the U.S. and are straightforward to remember.

What About Tall Buildings in Midtown or Downtown Atlanta?

People working or living in Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, and Perimeter Center often ask whether high-rises are at special risk.

Key points:

• Modern high-rises are generally engineered with some earthquake resistance in mind, even in cities like Atlanta where quakes are less frequent.
• In a mild regional quake, upper floors might feel more noticeable swaying than lower floors, even when there is no real damage.
• Building management in larger office towers and residential buildings usually has emergency procedures posted or available to tenants.

If you work in a high-rise, it’s helpful to:

• Ask your building management about emergency plans
• Learn where stairwells and safe interior areas are
• Participate in any building safety drills when offered

What Should Visitors to Atlanta Know About Earthquakes?

If you’re visiting Atlanta for business, a convention, or a vacation:

• You are unlikely to experience a damaging earthquake during a short stay.
• Any small tremor you do feel will most likely be a brief curiosity rather than a threat.
• Knowing the basic “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” response is enough for the rare event you feel noticeable shaking in your hotel or rental.

For most travelers, planning for traffic, weather, and airport timing is far more important than planning for earthquakes.

Who Handles Earthquake Information and Response in Atlanta?

Several local and state agencies play a role in planning and response for earthquakes and other emergencies.

Key Agencies

• Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency
  Oversees local emergency planning and response in the City of Atlanta and parts of Fulton County.

• Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS)
  Coordinates statewide planning for natural disasters, including earthquakes.
  State Operations Center (mailing/administrative address often listed as):
  935 E. Confederate Avenue SE
  Atlanta, GA 30316
  Main phone (commonly listed for public inquiries): (404) 635-7000

• Local Fire and Police Departments
  In an actual emergency, people in Atlanta should call 911 for immediate help.

These agencies provide general guidance for many types of hazards. Atlanta’s earthquake planning is usually integrated with broader disaster preparedness.

How Can People in Atlanta Stay Informed About Earthquakes?

If you feel shaking and want to confirm whether it was an earthquake, you can:

• Check local news channels based in Atlanta, which often quickly report noticeable quakes.
• Use widely available earthquake apps or national geological service tools to view recent earthquakes in Georgia and nearby states.
• Listen to information from local authorities if any official alerts are issued.

While many small earthquakes never make the news, events that are widely felt in metro Atlanta are usually reported quickly.

Bottom Line for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• Yes, Atlanta does have earthquakes, but they are usually small and infrequent.
• The city is not a major earthquake hotspot, especially compared with the West Coast.
• Most people in Atlanta will experience only mild, occasional tremors, if any, during their time here.
• Simple, common-sense preparedness—securing heavy items, having an emergency kit, and knowing how to protect yourself during shaking—is more than sufficient for the level of earthquake risk in Atlanta.