Another Earthquake Shakes South Carolina: 2.2 Magnitude Quake Recorded
Good morning, residents of South Carolina! If you felt a little rumble in the early hours, you weren’t alone. For the third day straight, a sequence of earthquakes has rocked the Palmetto State—this time landing in Chesterfield County, just about a mile below the surface.
What Happened?
This latest earthquake, clocking in at a magnitude of 2.2, was officially recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at exactly 12:53 a.m. on Monday. It seems this one decided to make its presence felt near Pageland, which is pretty close to the North Carolina border. This earthquake follows two earlier tremors that were felt in the Columbia area over the weekend, specifically a 2.1 magnitude quake on Saturday and a slightly stronger 2.5 quake on Sunday evening. All these tremors are raising eyebrows but they don’t appear to be causing any serious trouble so far.
Did You Feel It?
While Monday’s quake was categorized as a “micro quake” according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, many folks might still have noticed a bit of shakiness or heard some rumbling noises. If you did, you can report your experience to the USGS. So far, no significant damage or injuries have been reported during this little seismic spate.
A Year of Tremors
Interestingly, this latest quake signifies the 15th confirmed earthquake in South Carolina this year alone. Compared to the 28 quakes recorded in all of 2023, we’re definitely seeing a bit more action lately. In fact, since January 18, 2021, there have been a total of 133 earthquakes in the state!
Most of these have been concentrated in the Midlands area, which is where the previous weekend’s quakes were felt. Elgin, just 20 miles northeast of Columbia, has seen a good number of quakes lately due to its location on a fault line. While it’s common for South Carolina to experience 6 to 10 quakes a year, this new flurry might be one of the longest stretches of seismic activity in its history. However, don’t panic just yet! Experts believe this does not indicate that a larger earthquake is on the horizon.
Historical Context
The state has a history of more severe earthquakes, the most notable being the devastating 7.3 earthquake in Charleston back in 1886. This massive quake tragically claimed 60 lives and was felt across an astounding 2.5 million square miles—from Cuba all the way up to New York. Thankfully, modern-day South Carolina hasn’t seen anything close to that level of devastation in recent times.
Preparing for the Future
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division urges residents to remain vigilant. While the minor tremors may seem alarming, officials like Kim Stenson have stated, “We do not expect a significantly damaging earthquake in South Carolina at this time.” It’s always wise to be prepared, though, so checking your earthquake insurance and securing potentially hazardous items in your home could be great steps to take.
As we continue to monitor these little shakes, let’s keep each other informed. If you felt that tremor this morning, share your experience! It’s always a good topic for conversation, especially here in South Carolina where every little shake is felt with curiosity.
