It’s been one year since most powerful earthquake in a century rattled NC

SPARTA, N.C. — Monday marked one year since a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck near Sparta, North Carolina.

The most powerful quake to strike the state in over a century was felt by thousands on the morning of August 9, 2020.

Officials said there were more than 80,000 reports from people feeling the tremor across the Charlotte area.

The earthquake caused a road to buckle in Gap Civil, North Carolina, and caused bricks to separate from homes along Little River Drive.

Experts said the quake was the result of an oblique-reverse fault. They form when compressional forces cause a fault plane to move sideways, creating an earthquake.

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• Aftershocks rattle North Carolina town after governor’s visits

Experts also said last summer’s quake was a rare type of event for the area.

The earthquake happened about six miles underground, classifying it as a shallow tremor.

Deeper earthquakes tend to be felt less at the surface because of their depth.

(WATCH BELOW: Gov. Cooper tours earthquake damage in Sparta)

Gov. Cooper tours earthquake damage in Sparta

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