Earthquakes
An earthquake is the motion or trembling of the ground produced by a sudden displacement of rock in the Earth's crust. Earthquakes can cause injury or death and property damage for hundreds of square miles and they impact the socio-economic functioning of the affected area.
While far less common than in other parts of the world, North Carolina has experienced a number of earthquakes over the past century. Some of these earthquakes have been fairly substantial in the damage they have caused. However, most earthquake activity goes un-noticed.
Earthquakes of significant magnitude are unlikely occurrences in Mecklenburg County, though the proximity of the area to major faults is several active seismic zones and could increase the possibility of feeling some impact. In fact, an earthquake in central Virginia in 2011 was felt in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.