Earthquake Swarm Continues in the Columbia Area, as Renewed Seismic Activity Reported in the Midlands

South Carolina has witnessed yet another earthquake that occurred in a different area near its capital city Columbia earlier this week.

The latest seismic activity is one of the many instances that the Midlands region have been struck in recent months.

However, the recent tremor deviated from the previous hotspot of the swarm of earthquakes.

Local authorities said a 1.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Boykin area in Kershaw County on the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 9.

The epicenter is located 21 miles east of the town of Elgin and 17 miles from the community of Lugoff, where majority of the earthquake swarm have been reported before.

The mysterious swarm of quakes have been recorded since the start of 2022.

Comparing with aftershocks, earthquake swarms are considered to be relatively weak but are larger in terms of frequency.

Despite the lesser seismic intensity, the geological phenomenon could still indicate that a major earthquake can sill occur either in the short-term or long-term future.

Over a century ago, South Carolina and its surrounding regions in the Eastern United States witnessed its strongest earthquake in recorded history, causing the deaths of dozens of people and massive infrastructural damage.

Amid the recurring tremors, scientific evidence has linked that a potential natural disaster is not far away from happening.

Columbia Earthquake

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the 1.6 magnitude quake transpired 9 kilometers west of Boykin at a depth of 6.9 kilometers.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths.

This was the first seismic activity recorded in the state since a 1.8 magnitude earthquake occurred on August 3.

In the past 45 days, there have been 37 confirmed earthquake incidents in Kershaw County, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (South Carolina DNR), as cited by The State newspaper.

South Carolina Earthquake Swarm

The latest seismic activity adds to the growing list of at least 66 earthquakes detected in the Palmetto State since the year started, according to South Carolina DNR.

All except for five quakes have been recorded in the Midlands.

In addition, 68 earthquakes have struck the Columbia areas since a 3.3 magnitude earthquake was detected in late December 2021, the local government agency added.

East Coast's Worst Earthquake

In 1886, the Eastern US experienced its most damaging earthquake of the 19th century in terms of lives lost, human suffering, and devastation caused.

Also called the Charleston earthquake, the catastrophic event reportedly killed around 60 people and damaged approximately 2,000 buildings in the region.

In additions, its seismic wave was reportedly felt from Cuba to New York, as well as from Bermuda to the Mississippi River.

While South Carolina's last major earthquake is long overdue, it is still susceptible to renewed disastrous events in the coming months or years.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) estimates 10 to 15 earthquakes are being recorded in South Carolina each year; about 70% of the state's earthquakes are situated in the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone.