A magnitude 2.1 earthquake struck the south metro Atlanta area on Thursday morning, September 17, 2026, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The event occurred at 10:05 a.m. local time and was centered in Clayton County near Forest Park and Riverdale, about 10 miles south of downtown Atlanta and roughly 2 kilometers (1.5 miles) south of Forest Park.
Minor 2.1 Earthquake Hits near Forest Park and Riverdale
Official reports place the epicenter close to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Local accounts put it even more precisely near the intersection of Ash Street and Patricia Drive in Forest Park. The quake was very shallow, at a depth of about 0.9 kilometers (0.6 miles).
Earthquakes of this size are typically felt only near the epicenter, if at all. They can produce a brief rumble similar to a heavy truck passing or a short vibration. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. USGS data indicated this was the only earthquake recorded in Georgia in the preceding three weeks…