The 2020 Sparta earthquake struck North Carolina on August 9 at 08:07 EDT. The epicenter of this moment magnitude (Mw ) 5.1 earthquake was near the small town of Sparta, Alleghany County. It was the strongest earthquake recorded in North Carolina in 104 years, the second-strongest in the state's history, and the largest to strike the East Coast since the 2011 Virginia earthquake. It caused damage to homes and businesses in Sparta and injured at least one person. The shaking was also felt in other states along the East Coast and Midwest. A state of emergency was declared in Sparta, and North Carolina granted US$24 million in relief fund for repair works.