Earthquakes in Atlanta, Georgia: What Residents and Visitors Need to Know

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or are visiting the city and you’ve heard about an earthquake in Atlanta, you might be wondering: How common are earthquakes here? How dangerous are they? And what should I do if I feel one?

This guide walks through how earthquakes affect Atlanta, what to expect, and how to prepare in a realistic, practical way.

Does Atlanta, Georgia Get Earthquakes?

Atlanta is not known as a major earthquake hotspot like California, but earthquakes do happen in Georgia and can sometimes be felt in the metro area.

Key points about earthquakes in Atlanta:

• Most are small and cause little or no damage.
• People often feel them as a brief shaking, rumbling, or a noise like a truck passing.
• Larger, damaging earthquakes are uncommon but possible, usually from faults outside the city.
• Tremors that Atlantans feel often come from north Georgia, eastern Tennessee, or sometimes Alabama.

If you’ve just felt shaking in Atlanta, it is likely from a minor regional earthquake, not a major, city-specific event.

Why Do Earthquakes Happen Near Atlanta?

Atlanta sits in the Southeastern United States, which lies in what geologists call a “stable continental interior.”

That means:

• We are far from active plate boundaries, like the Pacific coast.
• Earthquakes here tend to come from old faults in the crust that occasionally shift.
• Common regional sources include:
  • The Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (to the north and northwest of Atlanta)
  • Fault systems in north Georgia and Alabama

For people in Atlanta, that translates to:

• Occasional minor shaking, especially on upper floors of buildings.
• Very low day-to-day risk of a major destructive earthquake, but not zero.

What Does an Earthquake Feel Like in Atlanta?

If an earthquake is felt in Atlanta, residents typically describe:

• Light shaking of furniture, windows, or hanging items
• A short rumble like heavy construction or a large truck going by
• Slight swaying in taller buildings or on higher floors
• Duration of a few seconds to maybe half a minute for most felt events

You are less likely to see:

• Major cracks in the ground
• Widespread building collapses
• Large aftershock sequences

Those types of effects are much more common in high-activity regions, not typically in Atlanta.

Recent Earthquakes in or Near Atlanta, Georgia

When people search “earthquake in Atlanta Georgia,” it’s often because they:

• Just felt shaking and want to confirm if it was an earthquake
• Heard news of a tremor and want details
• Are planning to move or visit and want to understand the risk

Atlanta-area earthquakes are usually:

• Small (low magnitude)
• Centered outside the city, often north or northwest
• Strong enough to be noticed, but rarely damaging

If you just felt shaking, it was likely a regional quake that radiated into the Atlanta metro area. Power, water, and services typically remain unaffected after such events.

Earthquake Risk in Atlanta Compared to Other Hazards

For someone living in Atlanta, other hazards are generally far more common than earthquakes, including:

• Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes
• Flash flooding in low-lying areas
• Ice storms or winter weather every few years

Still, basic earthquake preparedness is worthwhile because:

• Earthquakes give no warning
• Even a small tremor can cause items to fall or glass to break
• Multi-story buildings and older structures may experience more noticeable shaking

Thinking about earthquakes is less about fear and more about having simple, smart habits and plans.

What to Do If an Earthquake Happens in Atlanta

Whether you live in Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, or the suburbs, the recommended actions are the same.

If You Are Indoors

Use the basic safety rule: Drop, Cover, and Hold On:

1. Drop to your hands and knees
2. Cover your head and neck under a sturdy desk or table, or next to an interior wall away from windows
3. Hold on until the shaking stops

Additional tips:

• Stay away from windows, mirrors, and glass doors
• Don’t run outside while the shaking is happening; you could be hit by falling debris
• In high-rise buildings, expect more swaying, and possible ceiling tiles or light fixtures shaking

If You Are Outside

• Move away from buildings, streetlights, trees, and power lines
• Stay in an open area if possible (large parking lots, parks, etc.)
• Once in a safer spot, stay low until the shaking stops

If You Are Driving in Atlanta

• Pull over safely to the side of the road
• Avoid stopping on or under bridges, overpasses, large signs, or power lines
• Set the parking brake and stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops
• Turn on hazard lights if it’s safe to do so

What to Do Right After Shaking Stops

Once the ground stops moving:

• Check yourself and others for obvious injuries, and call 911 for emergencies.
• Look around for immediate hazards:
  • Broken glass
  • Falling items
  • Small fires
• Avoid using elevators in high-rise buildings until they’re confirmed safe.
• Listen to local news, radio, or official alerts on your phone if networks are working.
• Be cautious of aftershocks, which can follow the main shake.

In most Atlanta-area events, the impact is minor, but a quick safety check is still smart.

Earthquake Preparedness for Atlanta Residents

Even though the risk is relatively low, simple preparation steps can reduce your risk and stress.

Secure Items in Your Home

Consider:

• Anchoring tall furniture (bookcases, cabinets, TVs) to walls
• Using latches on cabinet doors with heavy dishes or glassware
• Keeping heavy or sharp items on lower shelves
• Placing beds away from heavy wall-mounted objects (like large frames or mirrors)

These steps also help in non-earthquake situations, such as someone bumping furniture or children climbing on items.

Create a Small Emergency Kit

You don’t need a massive supply, but having a basic kit ready can help during any unexpected event:

• Bottled water
• Non-perishable snacks
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Phone charger or power bank
• Basic first-aid supplies
• Copies of important contacts written down (in case phones die)

Store it somewhere easy to grab, like by an exit or in a central closet.

Talk With Your Household

A short conversation can make a big difference:

• Decide where to meet if you’re separated and can’t reach each other.
• Make sure everyone knows:
  • How to call 911
  • Any important medical needs in the household
  • Where the emergency kit is stored

Where to Get Official Earthquake and Emergency Information in Atlanta

For people in the Atlanta area, these agencies and offices provide official emergency guidance and updates.

1. City of Atlanta – Office of Emergency Preparedness

The City’s emergency management team helps coordinate preparedness for residents and businesses.

Typical contact/location (verify current details before visiting):

• Office of Emergency Preparedness
  City of Atlanta – Public Safety Headquarters
  226 Peachtree Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
• Emergency: Call 911
• Non-emergency police (City of Atlanta): 404-658-6666

They can provide information on local preparedness programs, community events, and general emergency planning.

2. Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (EMA)

Many Atlanta neighborhoods are within Fulton County, which has its own emergency management office that supports the city in larger events.

• Fulton County Emergency Management Agency
  130 Peachtree Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
• Main government line: 404-612-4000 (ask for emergency management or EMA)

Fulton County EMA focuses on countywide emergency planning, public education, and coordination with cities.

3. Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS)

GEMA/HS coordinates statewide emergency preparedness, including severe weather and earthquakes that affect Georgia.

• GEMA/HS Headquarters
  935 E. Confederate Avenue SE
  Atlanta, GA 30316
• Main phone (general information): 404-635-7000

GEMA/HS often provides resources on:

• Creating emergency plans
• Preparedness for various hazards (including earthquakes)
• State-level alerts and coordination

Simple Earthquake Readiness Checklist for Atlantans

Below is a quick reference you can use at home or in the office:

Visiting Atlanta and Worried About Earthquakes?

If you’re a visitor staying in a hotel in Downtown, Midtown, or near the airport:

• Check the emergency instructions usually posted on the back of your hotel room door.
• Locate the nearest stairwell and know how to exit safely after any emergency.
• If an earthquake happens:
  • Follow Drop, Cover, and Hold On inside your room.
  • Wait for instructions from hotel staff once it’s safe to move.

For most visitors, earthquakes are not a major trip-planning concern in Atlanta, but basic awareness can give extra peace of mind.

Key Takeaways for Earthquakes in Atlanta, Georgia

• Earthquakes in Atlanta are possible but usually minor.
• Residents may feel occasional light shaking from regional quakes.
• Major, damaging earthquakes are uncommon in this part of Georgia.
• Simple preparation—securing furniture, having a small kit, and knowing Drop, Cover, and Hold On—is usually enough for most households.
• For official information, Atlantans can look to City of Atlanta, Fulton County EMA, and GEMA/HS for guidance during larger emergencies.

Understanding how earthquakes work in Atlanta helps you stay calm, informed, and ready—without needing to be overly worried.