(WKYT) – A small earthquake near Paducah coincided with tornado warnings, but a University of Kentucky seismologist says the timing was unusual, not the activity itself.
Dr. Seth Carpenter, with the Kentucky Geological Survey, said the 2.3 magnitude quake happened late last night near the edge of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, a region that regularly produces small tremors.
Carpenter said global earthquake activity looks normal so far this year, and Kentucky’s small quakes are also within the usual range.
“Earthquakes on these faults are to be expected, it’s not unexpected just because of the continual accumulation of energy… the exact timing of when one will happen… we simply don’t know,” Carpenter said.
Carpenter said there’s no evidence tornadoes can trigger earthquakes, calling last night’s storm and quake “coincident but unrelated.”
Carpenter said if people feel stronger shaking, it’s safest to stay outside if they’re already there. He said people indoors should get under a sturdy table and protect their head until the shaking stops.