Eight Earthquakes Shake South Carolina Today

Today's earthquake swarm is impacting western portions of South Carolina; each orange dot within the colored concentric circles is the epicenter of an earthquake today. Image: USGS — Today’s earthquake swarm is impacting western portions of South Carolina; each orange dot within the colored concentric circles is the epicenter of an earthquake today. Image: USGS

Seven earthquakes have struck South Carolina in an apparent swarm not far from where a weak earthquake struck just days ago. According to USGS, the latest swarm began early this morning at 4:48 am, followed by earthquakes at 6:12 am, 8:50 am, 9:06 am, 10:09 am, 10:49 am, 2:39 pm, and 3:15 pm. All earthquakes struck within 10 miles of each other from depths that range from 3 km to 15.6 km; the magnitudes ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 with the strongest striking at 10:09 am today.

Dozens of people have reported to USGS they have felt these earthquakes but there have been no reports of injuries or damage.

All of these earthquakes are occurring as state officials are kicking off Earthquake Awareness Week. Governor Henry McMaster has proclaimed October 13-19, 2024, as Earthquake Preparedness Week in South Carolina. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division encourages everyone to take this opportunity to learn about our state’s seismic fault system and how best to prepare for earthquakes. A highlight of the week will be the Great Southeast ShakeOut, taking place on Thursday, October 17, at 10:17 am.

Over 1.6 million people from eight states and Washington D.C. are set to participate in the Great SouthEast ShakeOut earthquake safety drill. The regional ShakeOut drill is part of an international effort in which participants simultaneously practice how to stay safe during an earthquake — “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” For most people, in most situations, this means:

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees;
COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand as you crawl for shelter under a nearby table or desk;
HOLD ON to your shelter with one hand until the shaking stops (remain on your knees and cover your head and neck with your other arm and hand).

This ongoing earthquake swarm is occurring near Lake Greenwood in western South Carolina, half way between Greenville, South Carolina and Augusta, Georgia and half-way between Atlanta, Georgia and Columbia, South Carolina. Image: USGS

Schools, businesses, organizations, government agencies, communities, and households are all encouraged to participate. Worldwide, over 50 million people are expected to participate in Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills this year.

According to SCEMD, there have been over a dozen low-magnitude earthquakes recorded in South Carolina so far this year. “Geologists from the College of Charleston report that our state experiences 10 to 20 earthquakes annually. The South Carolina Emergency Manager mobile app has an earthquake map feature that lists recent earthquake activity. It also allows you to sign up to be notified when one occurs,” the SCEMD said in a release kicking off the Earthquake Awareness Week.

USGS has no explanation for today’s unusual swarm; prior to Thursday’s earthquake, this area was seismically still for at least the last 30 days.

There have been two other puzzling earthquake swarms in South Carolina over the last year. One area is north and west of Columbia which swarmed last December. The other area is anchored near Elgin which is north and east of Columbia; swarms have come and gone there since an initial earthquake struck in 2021.