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 half a 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. In fact, 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 even 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 seismic activity, the Midlands area of South Carolina 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.