22nd earthquake shakes up town outside of Columbia, SC, geologist report
Elgin, South Carolina had its 22nd earthquake in five months Thursday morning.
The 2.0 magnitude earthquake hit at about 5 a.m. near the town about 20 miles northeast of Columbia, according to the United States Geological Survey. A magnitude of 2.0 is considered a weak earthquake. The effects of the quake might not be felt at that low of a magnitude.
In all, 22 earthquakes have hit the Elgin and Lugoff area since a 3.3 magnitude quake was recorded on Dec. 27, 2021. Another low-level quake hit Elgin last week.
South Carolina has had 39 earthquakes since September. An explanation for the recent seismic activity has eluded scientists.
Digging and blasting at mines, water seeping through the ground from lakes, or other changes in weight or pressure underground could all contribute to seismic activity, The State previously reported, but no one has settled on the single cause for the Midlands’ shaking.
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.
This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 11:18 AM.