2 earthquakes recorded minutes apart in western North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Two small earthquakes were detected within minutes of each other on Tuesday morning near the Virginia-North Carolina border.

According to the United States Geological Survey, both 2.3 magnitude earthquakes occurred just miles away from Sparta, North Carolina at 4:41 a.m. and 5:16 a.m.

The 2.3 magnitude earthquake at 4:41 a.m. was reported just 1.3 miles east of Sparta and about 38 miles ENE of Boone, NC. It was 4 miles deep.

The 2.3 magnitude earthquake at 5:16 a.m. was reported 3.6 miles SE of Sparta and 37 miles ENE of Boone. 

There have been 14 recorded earthquakes in North Carolina this year.