The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Quake may have been false alarm




CHARLESTON, W.Va.

A Virginia Tech seismologist says a mild earthquake reported in southern West Virginia may not have been a temblor.

Martin Chapman says mining activity may have caused Saturday’s event.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the 2.9-magnitude tremor struck at 7:27 a.m. Saturday (March 27). The epicenter was located about 7 miles from Man in Logan County. (Man is about 100 miles from Whitesburg).

No damage was reported.

Chapman says surface mine blasting or the collapse of underground mine tunnels can cause false readings.

The state Department of Environmental Protection and the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training said they have no evidence that the event was related to mining.

But a DEP spokeswoman says the agency is looking into blasting as a possibility.


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