Did you feel it?: Earthquake confirmed in South Carolina
U.S. Geological Survey confirms earthquake near Columbia, South Carolina
No injuries or damage reported so far
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.6 was confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey near Columbia, South Carolina on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 06:39 AM EST. The epicenter was located approximately 8 miles (13 kilometers) northwest of Columbia, near the town of Elgin.
According to the USGS, the earthquake was relatively shallow, with a depth of approximately 1.8 miles (3 kilometers), which may have contributed to the shaking felt by residents in the area. While there have been no reports of injuries or damage at this time, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) is monitoring the situation and has advised residents to be prepared for aftershocks.
Earthquakes in South Carolina are not uncommon, as the state is located in a seismically active region known as the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ). The ETSZ is responsible for a series of earthquakes that have occurred in the southeastern United States, including several damaging events in recent years, such as the 2011 Mineral, Virginia earthquake and the 2016 Sparta, North Carolina earthquake.
While most earthquakes in the ETSZ are relatively small and cause little to no damage, larger earthquakes can occur. Residents in earthquake-prone areas are encouraged to be prepared for the possibility of an earthquake by creating an emergency plan, assembling an emergency kit, and knowing what to do during an earthquake.
Comments