(WKRG) — Three earthquakes within a week might have some wondering, especially if you were one of the few who felt it.
“It was like a jolt,” said Ashton Parker.
She is talking about the 3.1 magnitude quake that registered near her home in Jay, Florida. That was Monday night. Another registering 2.7 hit last week, the third hit just Tuesday night at 2.3.
University of South Alabama Assistant Geology Professor Dr. Alex Beebe says while only the 3.1 could really be felt, they all registered on the University’s seismometer.
“Well, the first thing I’d say is don’t be too alarmed, it’s not uncommon to have earthquakes in that particular area,” says Beebe.
He says the area is included in what’s known as the Bahamas Fracture Seismic Zone.
“It’s essentially a long fault that extends through Mississippi, through Alabama, through Florida and goes all the way down to the Bahamas,” he says.
Beebe says this was once a much more active earthquake area as fault activity formed the Gulf of Mexico. He says the activity is mostly dormant now, but,
“Pressure can build up, you get a little more reactivation of those faults.”
