Another earthquake confirmed in SC. Here’s how it compares to other recent quakes
A busy year for earthquakes in South Carolina continued Tuesday night when another quake was confirmed in the Palmetto State.
A low-level earthquake was confirmed in the Lowcountry, just south of Centerville, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The 1.5 magnitude earthquake happened at 6:38 p.m. not far from the border of Dorchester, Charleston, and Berkeley counties.
The seismic activity that had a depth of 3.8 kilometers is the 21st earthquake in South Carolina in 2021 to be confirmed by the USGS.
No damage or injuries have been reported from Tuesday’s earthquake.
It makes sense since earthquakes that register 2.5 magnitude or less often go unnoticed and are 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.
Anyone who felt the quake can report it to the USGS.
It’s the eighth earthquake recorded in the past month in the Palmetto State, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The previous seven quakes were reported by SCDNR in the Jenkinsville area in Fairfield County, from Oct. 25 through Nov. 1.
The most powerful earthquake recorded in South Carolina this year was a 3.3-magnitude quake near Centerville on Sept. 27. That was the third of three earthquakes recorded in that area that day.
It is typical for South Carolina to have between six and 10 earthquakes a year, the S.C. Geological Survey reported. There were at least 11 earthquakes reported by the USGS in South Carolina in 2020.
On Oct. 17, another earthquake was confirmed just over the state line in the Lincolnton area of Georgia, along the Savannah River.
One of the most powerful earthquakes 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
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 |
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREThis is a breaking news story
In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.
This story was originally published November 10, 2021 at 9:27 AM with the headline "Another earthquake confirmed in SC. Here’s how it compares to other recent quakes."
