Earthquake confirmed in SC. Here’s how it compares to recent ones in the Midlands
Another earthquake was recently confirmed in South Carolina, but it was not in the Midlands.
A low-level earthquake was recorded in the Lowcountry, close to Ladson and in the area near Dorchester, Charleston, and Berkeley counties, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The 1.4 magnitude earthquake happened at 3 p.m. Sunday, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
The seismic activity that had a depth of 2.9 kilometers, or about 1.8 miles, was the fourth earthquake in South Carolina in 2022 to be confirmed by the USGS.
This year’s previous quakes were all recorded near the Columbia area in Kershaw County, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Beginning on Dec. 27, there were 10 earthquakes in either Elgin or Lugoff over a nine-day stretch.
The first earthquake of the new year reported in the Lowcountry is the 12th confirmed in the Charleston area since Feb. 13, 2021, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
Anyone who felt the earthquake can report it to the USGS.
No major damage or injuries have been reported from the earthquake.
Earthquakes that register 2.5 magnitude or less often go unnoticed and are usually only recorded by a seismograph, according to Michigan Technological University. Any quake less than 5.5 magnitude is not likely to cause significant damage, the school said.
It is typical for South Carolina to have between six and 10 earthquakes a year, the S.C. Geological Survey previously reported. There have been 34 earthquakes in South Carolina since Jan. 18, 2021, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
There were at least 11 earthquakes recorded by the USGS in South Carolina in 2020.
Following Sunday’s activity, 24 earthquakes have been recorded since Sept. 27, 2020 in the Palmetto State, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
One of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in South Carolina happened in Charleston on Aug. 31, 1886. The estimated 7.3 magnitude quake killed 60 people and was felt over 2.5 million square miles, from Cuba to New York, and Bermuda to the Mississippi River, according to the Emergency Management Division.
Reported earthquakes in SC in 2021-22
Date/Location | Magnitude | Depth (km) |
Jan. 18/Dalzell | 2.1 | 6.9 |
Feb. 13/Summerville | 2.1 | 5.1 |
May 12/Heath Springs | 1.8 | 9.99 |
May 31/Summit | 2.6 | 1.7 |
May 31/Summit | 2.0 | 5.1 |
July 16/Ladson | 2.0 | 4.0 |
July 22/Ladson | 1.3 | 3.5 |
July 22/Ladson | 1.95 | 3.97 |
Aug. 21/Centerville | 1.75 | 1.97 |
Aug. 21/Centerville | 1.71 | 3.37 |
Sept. 27/Summerville | 2.8 | 6.0 |
Sept. 27/Summerville | 2.0 | 5.8 |
Sept. 27/Centerville | 3.3 | 6.8 |
| Oct. 25/Jenkinsville | 2.2 | 3.8 |
| Oct. 26/Jenkinsville | 1.8 | 0.0 |
| Oct. 28/Jenkinsville | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| Oct. 28/Jenkinsville | 1.7 | 0.0 |
| Oct. 28/Jenkinsville | 2.1 | 4.2 |
| Oct. 31/Jenkinsville | 2.3 | 0.1 |
| Nov. 1/Jenkinsville | 2.0 | 5.1 |
| Nov. 9/Centerville | 1.5 | 3.8 |
| Nov. 16/Arial | 2.2 | 5.4 |
| Dec. 20/Ladson | 1.1 | 2.8 |
| Dec. 27/Lugoff | 3.3 | 3.2 |
| Dec. 27/Lugoff | 2.5 | 2.4 |
| Dec. 27/Elgin | 2.1 | 0.7 |
| Dec. 27/Elgin | 1.7 | 4.9 |
| Dec. 29/Elgin | 2.3 | 1.6 |
| Dec. 30/Elgin | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Dec. 30/Elgin | 2.4 | 3.8 |
| Jan. 3/Lugoff | 2.5 | 2.7 |
| Jan. 5/Lugoff | 2.6 | 0.5 |
| Jan. 5/Lugoff | 1.5 | 7.0 |
| Jan. 9/Ladson | 1.4 | 2.9 |
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