Small Earthquake Shakes Farmville and Surrounding Areas

BUCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA — A magnitude 3.0 earthquake rattled Central Virginia on Tuesday afternoon, May 6, 2025, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake struck at approximately 1:08 p.m., with its epicenter located about 12 miles from Farmville and 40 miles from Charlottesville.

Residents from as far away as Leesburg, Culpeper, Arlington, Stafford, and Loudoun County reported feeling the tremor. According to USGS reports, the quake occurred within the Central Virginia Seismic Zone, known for having produced significant earthquakes in the past.

Louis and Helen McFarland, who live in Farmville, described the event as unsettling. “It felt like a truck hit the house,” said Louis. “We couldn’t believe it was an earthquake.” Their neighbor, Diane Evers, added, “I thought I was imagining things until I saw the news.”

The shaking was felt widely in the Charlottesville area, prompting a swift response on social media as residents shared their experiences. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or damage at this time.

The earthquake left many people recalling the 5.8-magnitude quake that struck near Mineral, Virginia, in August 2011. That quake was felt across the eastern United States and caused an estimated $200 to $300 million in damages but resulted in no fatalities.

Experts from the USGS note that earthquakes on the East Coast are often felt over a broader area compared to those on the West Coast, which can be attributed to the geology of the region. The East’s “older and colder” crust transmits seismic waves differently, leading to more widespread reports of shaking.

As of now, the updates from USGS suggest there may be aftershocks, but none have been reported yet. Residents are urged to practice earthquake safety as they await further information on this seismic event.