At 5:12 a.m. Friday, between Lancaster and Richmond, the earth moved – just a bit. According to Seth Carpenter, a seismologist with the Kentucky Geological Survey at U-K, its epicenter was in eastern Garrard County – between Lancaster and Richmond. Carpenter said it took place about eight miles beneath the earth’s surface.
“That's a typical depth for earthquakes, especially in this part of the world. And it hadn't been shallower, it may have actually awakened people. And we would have had some felt experiences.”
Carpenter said there are about 20 earthquakes recorded in Kentucky each year, with others likely unrecorded.
“It's certainly a possibility to experience a strong earthquake in central and eastern Kentucky, but they are very rare. The last earthquake of consequence that happened in in the area was 2012. In Perry County, there was a magnitude 4.2.”
Carpenter said that quake caused minor damage to the Letcher County Courthouse. No damage was reported from Friday’s quake.
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