Two earthquakes were reported in Eastern Tennessee early Wednesday morning, the effects of which were felt in Middle Tennessee.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports the 4.4 and 3.3 magnitude quakes were centered near Decatur, Tennessee in Meigs County

The area southwest of Knoxville and north of Chattanooga felt the 4.4 magnitude earthquake at 3:14 a.m., with a 3.3 magnitude earthquake following at 3:27 a.m.

Viewers told News 2 the stronger quake was felt across Middle Tennessee with many reporting their dogs barked to wake them up.

According to the USGS, the 4.4 quake is the second strongest on record in East Tennessee. The strongest was a 4.7 near Maryville in 1973.

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The quakes were felt from as far away as Atlanta.

No major damage has been reported from the quakes.

East Tennessee does have a fault line and is in an area called the East Tennessee Seismic Zone.

Technically speaking, this is once of the most active seismic zones in the eastern part of the Unites States. However, most of the quakes that are reported have a magnitude approximately 2.0 to 2.5. These types of shakes are not felt for the most part, but can be picked up by instruments.

The 4.4 and 3.3 earthquake can been seen as significant and rare for this part of the country. The last time a magnitude 3.0 or higher occurred, was on April 29, 2018 in Morristown, TN, at a 3.1. A previously recorded earthquake of 4.0 or higher was in Knoxville back in 1973, a 4.6.

USGS says more significant earthquakes are possible with magnitudes 5-6 (heavy shaking) in East Tennessee. However, the occurrence would be once in every 200 to 300 years. Even a 7.5 magnitude earthquake (similar to the recent Anchorage, Alaska quake) is technically possible.

Police tell WKRN’s sister station WTVC there are no reports of any major damage, and say there should be no cause for alarm at TVA’s Watts Bar nuclear plant. TVA documents say both the Watts Bar and Sequoyah nuclear plants are built to withstand a 5.8 quake – which is far stronger than Wednesday morning’s two quakes. TVA inspectors will be out in force later on Wednesday to make doubly sure.

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