From Staff Reports

CANTON — The eighth earthquake near Canton in less than four weeks — since May 23 — struck just after midnight on June 16, according to the United States Geological Survey.

More specifically, the USGS reported a magnitude 2.1 earthquake struck 4 kilometers north of West Canton around 12:52 a.m. on June 16.

“At a depth of about 0.2 kilometers, only one person has responded so far to the USGS' ‘Felt Report,’” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on June 17.

“Although Western North Carolina is not on a major fault line, earthquakes are not uncommon in the area, experts say.”

The seventh earthquake prompted North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey to urge state residents to make sure they are covered from natural disasters. 

Earthquake damage is not usually covered under most standard homeowners’ insurance policies, Causey said.

He added that North Carolina homeowners can talk with their insurance agents and add earthquake endorsements to their policies.