110
8 days ago
Recent swarm of earthquakes in Lake Murray area is part of a larger spike in SC
Summary
About a quarter past noon on Feb. 26, social media lit up with chatter about an earthquake that had just struck the Columbia area. Multiple people said their houses shook from the tremor, some reported hearing a booming sound, others shared videos of swaying furniture from their home surveillance cameras.
The magnitude-3 earthquake was minor and harmless — what’s typical in South Carolina — but it was the strongest to have struck the Midlands in over a decade, U.S. Geological Survey records show.
It was also among five earthquakes centered on the eastern banks of Lake Murray within a span of less than three weeks, reflecting a spike in Midlands earthquakes since 2021, The State found after analyzing USGS data in the past quarter-century.
In the five years since March 2021, according to the data, the Midlands has experienced 19 earthquakes with magnitudes of at least 2.5 (the threshold where seismometers can detect all earthquakes, and year-by-year comparisons are reliable).
By contrast, there were only six such Midlands earthquakes from 2000 to 2020, whereas 19 occurred in the Lowcountry and 15 in the Upstate.
Most of the recent Midlands tremors are part of a “swarm” between Elgin and Lugoff, a series of minor earthquakes in a confined location that does not follow a big quake.
Scientists now say the same phenomenon is happening in the Lake Murray area, and the explanation still remains elusive.
“It looks like there is a small swarm there,” said Thomas Pratt, a USGS research geophysicist and coordinator of the federal bureau’s earthquake hazards program in the central and eastern states.
“It’s kind of a mystery why we get earthquakes in the middle of this stable boundary,” he said, referring to the lack of major fault lines in the eastern United States. “We cannot predict whether it will continue, die out or lead to something larger.”
Pratt said certain industrial activities — such as fracking and filling a water reservoir — can trigger earthquakes, since they generate water pressure that lubricates the earth’s tectonic faults and pushes them apart. Reduced friction allows the faults to slip, releasing energy that travels through the earth’s crust and causing tremors.
The release of energy also produces an accompanying noise, said Scott Howard, South Carolina’s state geologist, with the Department of Natural Resources.
“This transition from rock to air causes just like a booming sound,” Howard said. Some people have described it as a rumbling noise, similar to a moving train or large truck.
Researchers from the University of South Carolina, College of Charleston and Georgia Institute of Technology are studying the Elgin-Lugoff swarm, seeking to understand its cause.
The geologists are exploring whether the swarm is somehow linked to the nearby Wateree River, such as the body’s changing water levels and rainfall in the area.
Pratt does not think human activity has triggered the recent Columbia-area earthquakes. He has reviewed the changes in water levels at Lake Murray, a reservoir, and believes they have been too small to induce earthquakes.
“Why would there not have been earthquakes during earlier water-level changes?” he said.
No one can predict when or where earthquakes will happen, or how powerful they’d be. But, geologists said, massive ones are rare in South Carolina. The strongest ever recorded in the state — as well as on the eastern seaboard — was a 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Charleston in 1886 and killed around 60 people.
Minor earthquakes, experts said, should remind residents to have an emergency plan and supplies in place. These include figuring out in advance how to communicate with family members in case of a major natural disaster.
If a strong earthquake occurs, and objects or building materials begin to fall, seek cover under a desk or table and hold on to it. Try to remain indoors, staying clear of hazardous areas such as windows and kitchens.
People should not run outdoors, since they might trip, bang into things or get hit by debris.
“What kills people are falling objects,” Pratt said. “Earthquakes don’t kill people.”
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The magnitude-3 earthquake was minor and harmless — what’s typical in South Carolina — but it was the strongest to have struck the Midlands in over a decade, U.S. Geological Survey records show.
It was also among five earthquakes centered on the eastern banks of Lake Murray within a span of less than three weeks, reflecting a spike in Midlands earthquakes since 2021, The State found after analyzing USGS data in the past quarter-century.
In the five years since March 2021, according to the data, the Midlands has experienced 19 earthquakes with magnitudes of at least 2.5 (the threshold where seismometers can detect all earthquakes, and year-by-year comparisons are reliable).
By contrast, there were only six such Midlands earthquakes from 2000 to 2020, whereas 19 occurred in the Lowcountry and 15 in the Upstate.
Most of the recent Midlands tremors are part of a “swarm” between Elgin and Lugoff, a series of minor earthquakes in a confined location that does not follow a big quake.
Scientists now say the same phenomenon is happening in the Lake Murray area, and the explanation still remains elusive.
“It looks like there is a small swarm there,” said Thomas Pratt, a USGS research geophysicist and coordinator of the federal bureau’s earthquake hazards program in the central and eastern states.
“It’s kind of a mystery why we get earthquakes in the middle of this stable boundary,” he said, referring to the lack of major fault lines in the eastern United States. “We cannot predict whether it will continue, die out or lead to something larger.”
Pratt said certain industrial activities — such as fracking and filling a water reservoir — can trigger earthquakes, since they generate water pressure that lubricates the earth’s tectonic faults and pushes them apart. Reduced friction allows the faults to slip, releasing energy that travels through the earth’s crust and causing tremors.
The release of energy also produces an accompanying noise, said Scott Howard, South Carolina’s state geologist, with the Department of Natural Resources.
“This transition from rock to air causes just like a booming sound,” Howard said. Some people have described it as a rumbling noise, similar to a moving train or large truck.
Researchers from the University of South Carolina, College of Charleston and Georgia Institute of Technology are studying the Elgin-Lugoff swarm, seeking to understand its cause.
The geologists are exploring whether the swarm is somehow linked to the nearby Wateree River, such as the body’s changing water levels and rainfall in the area.
Pratt does not think human activity has triggered the recent Columbia-area earthquakes. He has reviewed the changes in water levels at Lake Murray, a reservoir, and believes they have been too small to induce earthquakes.
“Why would there not have been earthquakes during earlier water-level changes?” he said.
No one can predict when or where earthquakes will happen, or how powerful they’d be. But, geologists said, massive ones are rare in South Carolina. The strongest ever recorded in the state — as well as on the eastern seaboard — was a 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Charleston in 1886 and killed around 60 people.
Minor earthquakes, experts said, should remind residents to have an emergency plan and supplies in place. These include figuring out in advance how to communicate with family members in case of a major natural disaster.
If a strong earthquake occurs, and objects or building materials begin to fall, seek cover under a desk or table and hold on to it. Try to remain indoors, staying clear of hazardous areas such as windows and kitchens.
People should not run outdoors, since they might trip, bang into things or get hit by debris.
“What kills people are falling objects,” Pratt said. “Earthquakes don’t kill people.”
Before the Cardinals selected Murray No. 1 overall, the A's thought highly enough of his baseball acumen to use a first-round pick on him.
Ready for a spring wardrobe update, but not sure where to start? I've got the scoop on what styles are worth snagging.
Artificial intelligence continues to make waves in markets, spurring new investments and concerns each week.
We're using the Yahoo Fantasy+ Instant Mock Draft tool, picking out of the No. 6 slot to prep for the 2026 fantasy baseball season.
Not ready to pay for extra iCloud storage yet? I'll walk you through how to free up some space on your phone.
Fantasy baseball analyst Fred Zinkie ranks the best and worst MLB stadiums for hitting going into 2026.
Darron Lee is eligible for the death penalty after he was arrested in February.
When chimneys rise from a sloped roof, water and snow can collect in the valley behind them. Chimney crickets prevent this. Here's what you need to know about installing chimney crickets or saddles and how much they cost.
These are today's mortgage and refinance rates. 30-year fixed loans were up slightly, while 15-year mortgages fell a couple of notches. Shop for your best loan rate offer with a number of lenders.
In today's edition: SGA is unstoppable, NFL free agent frenzy, USA survives Mexico, college basketball's migration generation, photo finish, and more.
AI Description
The article discusses a recent increase in earthquake activity in South Carolina, particularly around Lake Murray. Researchers are investigating this spike in tremors since 2021.