A small earthquake hits coastal South Carolina on Saturday afternoon

Ted Clifford
·1 min read
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The South Carolina Emergency Management Division is reporting a minor earthquake in Sangaree, South Carolina.

The United States Geological Survey recorded a 1.72 magnitude earthquake on 1:01 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The quake was reported to be roughly one kilometer southwest of Sangaree, in Berkeley County near North Charleston.

It is the second minor earthquake in the area in less than two weeks. On July 24, the U.S. Geological Survey also recorded a 2.5 magnitude earthquake near Ladson and Summerville, roughly 5 miles from Sangaree.

Saturday’s earthquake took place at a depth of 4.8 kilometers below the earth’s surface. No damage or injuries have been reported.

It is the 13th confirmed earthquake in South Carolina this year, according the Department of Natural Resources. This exceeds South Carolina’s annual average of six to 10 earthquakes per year.

Charleston has a history of earthquakes. In 1886, a large earthquake with magnitude 7.3 devastated the port city. Aftershocks large enough to cause damage continued for years.

Smaller earthquakes that cause little or no damage have typically been felt roughly once a year in coastal South Carolina and in a small part of adjacent Georgia, according to the USGS.