Earthquakes continue to shake Columbia area with another confirmed Monday
The new year is starting off just like 2021 ended in the Midlands — with an earthquake.
While severe thunderstorms and powerful winds whipped through the area, a 2.53 magnitude earthquake was confirmed near Elgin at 5:49 a.m. Monday, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
The quake recorded at a depth of 2.7 kilometers is the eighth to hit the Columbia area in a week, U.S. Geological Survey data shows.
The latest earthquake was similar in strength to the past three aftershocks confirmed in Kershaw County, and among the most powerful of the 31 earthquakes confirmed in the Palmetto State since Jan. 18, 2021, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Anyone who felt the earthquake can report it to the USGS, and more than 100 people had by 7:45 a.m.
No major damage or injuries have been reported from any of the eight recent quakes.
Severe weather and powerful winds remain a greater damage threat than the earthquakes.
A wind advisory is in effect for the Columbia area until 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The forecast says to expect strong southwest to westerly winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts around 50 mph.
Earthquakes that register 2.5 magnitude or less often go unnoticed and are usually 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.
It is typical for South Carolina to have between six and 10 earthquakes a year, the S.C. Geological Survey previously reported. There were at least 11 earthquakes recorded by the USGS in South Carolina in 2020.
Following Monday’s activity, 21 earthquakes have been recorded since Sept. 27 in the Palmetto State, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
Of the the earthquakes confirmed in South Carolina since the start pf 2021, 19 occurred in the Midlands, S.C. Department of Natural Resources data shows.
Reported earthquakes in SC in 2021-22
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 |
| Nov. 16/Arial | 2.2 | 5.4 |
| Dec. 20/Ladson | 1.1 | 2.8 |
| Dec. 27/Lugoff | 3.3 | 3.2 |
| Dec. 27/Lugoff | 2.5 | 2.4 |
| Dec. 27/Elgin | 2.1 | 0.7 |
| Dec. 27/Elgin | 1.7 | 4.9 |
| Dec. 29/Elgin | 2.3 | 1.6 |
| Dec. 30/Elgin | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Dec. 30/Elgin | 2.4 | 3.8 |
| Jan. 3/Lugoff | 2.5 | 2.7 |
BEHIND THE STORY
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This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 7:49 AM with the headline "Earthquakes continue to shake Columbia area with another confirmed Monday."
