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Rare earthquake rattles Florida Panhandle

3.8-magnitude quake not damaging

Map shows areas where people felt the 3.8 Earthquake Thursday afternoon in Pollard, Al. (wjxt)

It is not too often earthquakes shake Florida-then again, it is 2020.

A 3.8 magnitude earthquake happened at 11:07 a.m. Thursday north of Pensacola just over the border in Alabama.

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The rattling was felt by 92 people who reported the impacts from near Mobile to Dothan, Alabama.

Very light to light shaking was reported around Pensacola. Although it was felt, the earthquake was not damaging. The magnitude of this earthquake results in only very light to no damage.

Slight damage to buildings and other structures happens with stronger earthquakes at 5.5 to 6.0.

It is very uncommon to have seismic activity in this part of the country but geologists say plate interiors are stressed and haven’t released any tectonic movement like this in 100 years.


About the Author
Mark Collins headshot

After covering the weather from every corner of Florida and doing marine research in the Gulf, Mark Collins settled in Jacksonville to forecast weather for The First Coast.

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