Mississippi experiences its first earthquake of 2021

Mississippi experienced its first earthquake of 2021 Wednesday.

The mild tremblor about 2 miles east of Collins, Mississippi, in Covington County, registered 2.1 on the Richter scale. The quake was recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey around 1:30 a.m. local time.

It’s unlikely that anyone felt the earthquake, especially as Mississippi’s quakes tend to occur miles underground.

Last year, Mississippi had five mild earthquakes. Most experts believe the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which runs through the Mississippi Valley, is dormant. Others think it’s just a matter of time before the big one hits. The last time significant earthquake activity occurred along the fault was more than 200 years ago in 1811 and 1812 when a series of quakes destroyed several settlements along the Mississippi River.