Virginia Quake Felt In North Carolina

Sections of Virginia's New River Valley were shaken by the biggest earthquake there in decades. The impact was felt in some areas of North Carolina. 

The earthquake started shortly after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, with the epicenter located near Virginia's border with West Virginia.  A Virginia Tech seismograph reading recorded the magnitude between 3.7 and 4.0.

According to The Winston-Salem Journal, people from seven states, including North Carolina, reported feeling the quake. Officials with the U.S. Geological Survey say North Carolina reports came in from Mount Airy, Walnut Cove and West Jefferson.

Giles County officials have not found any damage to public property.

The last measurable earthquake in the area happened in May, with a magnitude of 2.8.

The quakes are part of the Giles County seismic zone, an area of fault lines that surrounds the New River. Researchers say quakes in this region have become less frequent in the last two decades.