South Carolina · Earthquakes
South Carolina earthquakes today and on record
Earthquakes are rare in South Carolina, but not unknown. The USGS catalog lists 23 of magnitude 3.5 or more since 1900, the largest a magnitude 4.8 in 1912. Below: every quake in the state this week, a map, and the biggest since 1900.
Updated . Data: U.S. Geological Survey.
- Last 24 hours
- 0
- Past 7 days
- 0
- Most recent
- None this week
- Largest on record
- M4.8 (1912)
- M3.5+ since 1900
- 23
- M5+ since 1900
- 0
Earthquakes in South Carolina this week
No earthquakes recorded in this period.
That is normal here. Many years pass without a quake big enough to feel.
Biggest earthquakes in South Carolina since 1900
| Mag | Where | Date | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | Near Charleston, South Carolina | Jun 12, 1912 | 0 km |
| 4.7 | 10 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | Nov 22, 1974 | 18 km |
| 4.4 | 2 km N of Sangaree, South Carolina | Aug 3, 1959 | 1 km |
| 4.4 | 10 km ESE of Bowman, South Carolina | Feb 3, 1972 | 2 km |
| 4.3 | Union County, South Carolina | Jan 1, 1913 | 0 km |
| 4.2 | Near North Charleston, South Carolina | Sep 22, 1914 | 0 km |
| 4.1 | 1 km SSE of Centerville, South Carolina | Aug 21, 1992 | 7 km |
| 4.1 | 12 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina | Feb 15, 2014 | 5 km |
| 4.0 | 26 km SSE of Kiawah Island, South Carolina | Nov 11, 2002 | 2 km |
| 3.9 | Near Charleston, South Carolina | Apr 19, 1907 | 0 km |
| 3.9 | 6 km NE of McBee, South Carolina | Oct 27, 1959 | 0 km |
| 3.9 | 0 km NNW of Centerville, South Carolina | Apr 17, 1995 | 8 km |
Quakes of magnitude 3.5+ by decade
Older decades look quieter partly because there were far fewer seismometers. Counts before about 1970 are incomplete.
Good to know
When was the last earthquake in South Carolina?
None of magnitude 2.5 or more in the past week. The most recent of magnitude 3.5 or more in the long-term catalog was in 2022.
What was the biggest earthquake in South Carolina?
A magnitude 4.8 near Near Charleston, South Carolina on June 12, 1912, the largest in the USGS catalog for the state since 1900.
Does South Carolina get earthquakes?
Earthquakes are rare in South Carolina, but not unknown. The USGS catalog lists 23 of magnitude 3.5 or more since 1900, the largest a magnitude 4.8 in 1912. The USGS national hazard map is the best guide to the chance of strong shaking where you live.
Also in South Carolina
South Carolina tornado history · Earthquakes today, nationwide · Did I just feel an earthquake?
Other states
History: USGS earthquake catalog, magnitude 3.5 and up since 1900, matched to the state by location (quakes just offshore count for the nearest state). Live: USGS real-time feeds.