Mysterious Earthquake Activity Continues: A peculiar series of mild earthquakes has reappeared in South Carolina, this time situated north and west of Columbia. Over the past 30 days, the USGS has recorded 10 earthquakes in this region, ranging from a magnitude 1.6 to a magnitude 2.4 event. The most substantial quake occurred on November 30, prompting residents to utilize the “Did you feel it?” earthquake reporting tool on the USGS . Fortunately, these tremors have been too faint to cause any damage or injuries.
This seismic activity differs from a swarm that commenced near Elgin north and east of Columbia in 2021, persisting through much of 2022 and into parts of 2023. The enigmatic swarm initiated on Monday, December 27, at 2:18 pm with a 3.3 magnitude earthquake, striking 30 miles north of Columbia at a depth of only 3.1 km.
While over 3,100 residents reported feeling it, there were no reported damages in the Palmetto State. Subsequent quakes, ranging from magnitude 1.5 to 2.6, followed the initial event. The last quake in that series occurred on the morning of January 5, providing a temporary respite before the swarm resumed throughout 2022, causing concern among locals and officials uncertain of its source or cause.
According to the USGS, a swarm is typically a sequence of mostly small earthquakes with no identifiable mainshock. Although swarms are usually short-lived, lasting for days, weeks, or even months, the South Carolina event does not strictly fit this definition due to the initial quake being substantially larger than the subsequent ones.
ALSO READ: Developer Resolves Flooding Concerns: in Leland Housing Project
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) reports approximately 10-15 earthquakes annually in the state, with most going unnoticed by residents; only 3-5 are typically felt each year. The Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone is the primary location for earthquakes in South Carolina.
Noteworthy historical earthquakes in the state include the 1886 Charleston-Summerville quake and the 1913 Union County quake. The 1886 Charleston earthquake, rated between magnitude 6.9 and 7.3, remains the most damaging earthquake in the eastern United States, causing 60 deaths and over $190 million in damage (2023 dollars). The quake’s impact reached as far as Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Cuba, and Bermuda, making it a significant seismic event in U.S. history.
Also Read: Liverpool Europa League Approach and the Manchester United Showdown
Our Reader’s Queries
Why is there so much earthquake activity?
The Pacific plate slides to the northwest at a rate of 3-4 inches per year, while the North American plate moves to the west-southwest at approximately one inch per year, as reported by the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. The movement of the plates all over the world is the main cause of tension that can result in earthquakes.
Why do I keep imagining earthquakes?
Why do we experience phantom quakes? Phantom, also known as Orphan quakes by scientists, occur when our mind deceives us. The Earth is constantly shifting, but the movements are so subtle that we rarely notice them. The slight tremors we do feel are simply a trick of the mind, leaving us feeling anxious for no real reason.
Do more earthquakes mean big one coming?
Before a big earthquake, the area where it will happen starts having lots of smaller earthquakes. This can happen for just a few months or even over many years before the big one hits.
Is earthquake activity increasing in California?
For decades, scientists have been closely studying the Long Valley Caldera, where there has been a significant uptick in earthquakes and ground movement since the 1980s. In May of that year, the area experienced four powerful magnitude 6 earthquakes, drawing the attention of researchers.