Snow and ice dumped by an unusually severe winter storm was melting. Frigid temperatures were rising and residents of Georgia and South Carolina were beginning to relax.

Then the earth shuddered.

A small earthquake shook both states late Friday, shaking homes and rattling residents hundreds of miles away.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey's website, the quake happened at 10:23 p.m. and had a preliminary magnitude of 4.1.

It was centered 7 miles west of the town of Edgefield, South Carolina and was felt as far west as Atlanta and as far north as Hickory, North Carolina, each about 150 miles away.

USGS geophysicist Dale Grant said the quake was a large one for the area. No damages or injuries were immediately reported.

Tags: Atlanta, Augusta, North Augusta, earthquake, edgefield