Aiken County Earthquake Recorded Monday
An Aiken County earthquake was recorded Monday night, but chances are you didn’t feel it.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division said the 1.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded at 7:06 pm near Jackson, about a half-mile beneath the surface.
This was the second seismic event recorded in South Carolina this month.
The first event was reported August 9, when tremors were recorded in Kershaw County, in the Elgin area.
Aiken County Earthquake the First in 10 Years
It’s been a long time since Aiken County has had an earthquake. In fact, the last time one was recorded was in September, 2014 and it’s only the third time seismic activity has been confirmed in Aiken County since 2006, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
According to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, Monday night’s earthquake in Aiken County was classified as a micro quake. To put it into perspective, earthquakes that are 2.5 magnitude or less are rarely noticed and are usually recorded only by a seismograph, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
They added that significant damage isn’t usually seen with earthquakes that are less than 5.5 magnitude.
South Carolina has had its Share of Earthquakes Elsewhere in the State
When it comes to South Carolina seismic activity, the Midlands area has seen the most over the years.
In fact, 62 earthquakes, mostly minor, have been recorded in Kershaw County since 2022, but the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the Palmetto State was in Charleston in 1886. That one was a devastating 7.3 magnitude, leaving 60 people dead.