USGS reports magnitude 2.6 'micro' earthquake in North Carolina; no injuries reported

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) _ A ``micro'' earthquake with a 2.6 magnitude rattled central North Carolina early Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. <br/><br/>The epicenter was about 3 miles east-northeast

Tuesday, October 17th 2006, 6:43 am

By: News On 6

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) _ A ``micro'' earthquake with a 2.6 magnitude rattled central North Carolina early Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The epicenter was about 3 miles east-northeast of Winston-Salem at 4:56 a.m. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

Amy Vaughan, a geophysicist with the USGS in Golden, Colo., said earthquakes are rare in that part of the country. Since the quake wasn't very strong, no major damage was expected, she said.

About 150 calls came into the Winston-Salem Police Department after the quake, said police Lt. David Kiger.

``They reported a loud explosion and ground shaking,'' he said. ``They just want to know what was going on.''