The United States has experienced several notable earthquakes in the past week, although most were of moderate magnitude and did not result in significant damage or casualties. According to the United States Geological Survey, a magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck near Greenback, Tennessee. While relatively small, this event was felt by residents across the region and serves as a reminder that earthquakes can occur in areas not typically associated with high seismic risk. In Virginia, another minor earthquake measuring magnitude 3.0 was recorded near Dillwyn, drawing local attention due to its rarity in the southeastern United States. These moderate tremors followed a pattern of increased minor seismic activity across the eastern part of the country, an area that historically records fewer and less intense earthquakes than the West Coast.

On the West Coast, no major earthquakes above magnitude 4.0 were reported in the past seven days, but the United States Geological Survey continues to emphasize the ongoing need for earthquake preparedness, particularly in California and along the Pacific Northwest, where the threat from major faults such as the San Andreas and Cascadia Subduction Zone persists. Nationwide, the USGS is refining its ShakeAlert early warning system, designed to provide crucial seconds of advance notice before strong shaking begins, a development aimed at improving public safety and response times.

Internationally, the past week has seen more intense seismic activity. A significant magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurred in the eastern Mediterranean, about twenty-two kilometers south of Kasos Island in Greece, according to the World Earthquake Report from Volcanodiscovery. In South America, offshore Chile recorded a magnitude 7.4 quake, although this event did not result in reported casualties or widespread damage due to its remote location. Other worldwide tremors included moderate earthquakes in regions such as the South Sandwich Islands, Vanuatu Islands, and the Fiji region, where tectonic activity is frequent.

The recent global earthquake sequence highlights the continued vulnerability of populations near tectonic boundaries. In 2025, some of the deadliest events included a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar that claimed thousands of lives and a destructive magnitude 7.1 earthquake in the Tibet Autonomous Region earlier this year. These events underscore the unpredictability and potential for devastation posed by large earthquakes, even as efforts continue to improve early warning systems and community resilience.

In summary, while the United States has been spared from major destructive earthquakes in recent days, moderate seismic activity in unexpected areas serves as a reminder of the country’s diverse seismic landscape. Meanwhile, worldwide seismicity continues to demonstrate the importance of preparedness and rapid response in mitigating the impacts of future earthquakes.