SPARTA, N.C. — A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck North Carolina Sunday morning, the strongest earthquake to hit the area in more than a century.
The United States Geological Survey recorded the earthquake around 8 a.m. near Sparta.
Officials said small earthquakes have been felt in the inland areas of North and South Carolina since 1776.
The largest earthquake to hit the area was in 1916 — it was also measured at 5.1 magnitude.