The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a 2.3 magnitude earthquake in Bledsoe County last night.  According to the USGS, earthquake occurred at 11:35 p.m. five miles east of Pikeville. The earthquake was 2.73 miles under the earth’s surface. No preliminary reports of damage indicated.

According to an intensity comparison scale, earthquakes that register less than a 3.0 are classified as a level I. That means it is not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions.

The coverage area sits along the East Tennessee Seismic Zone. Most earthquakes in this zone are weaker but some people will still feel the ground shaking if the magnitude is 2.5 or higher. Officials say a 5.0 earthquake or higher is possible in the zone but it would be a “1 in a 100 year” earthquake.