News Summary
A 2.3 magnitude earthquake struck Kershaw County, South Carolina, early Thursday, marking the sixth seismic event in the state this year. Despite numerous tremor reports from residents, there were no injuries or damages. The recent uptick in seismic activity in the region raises concerns among locals, while officials assured that no significant damaging earthquakes are expected soon. Kershaw County has seen 68 confirmed earthquakes since mid-2022, contributing to a notable seismic history in South Carolina.
South Carolina experienced a 2.3 magnitude earthquake early Thursday morning, marking the sixth confirmed seismic event in the state for the year 2025. The earthquake occurred at 1:16 a.m. in Kershaw County, near Elgin, and struck approximately 1.5 miles beneath the surface, as recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Despite over 80 reports from residents feeling the tremors, there were no significant damages or injuries resulting from the quake. This earthquake belongs to a series of seismic activities that have recently been reported in the Midlands region, with this being the fourth such event in 2025 alone. The last seismic activity in the state prior to this was a 1.5 magnitude quake that rattled the same area on March 19.
In recent months, South Carolina has seen a notable uptick in earthquake occurrences. At the beginning of April, five earthquakes were registered in the Augusta, Georgia area, just across the border from South Carolina. Overall, the state recorded 30 earthquakes in 2024 and 28 in 2023, according to figures from the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR). More than 140 earthquakes have been detected in South Carolina since the beginning of 2022, with over 30 occurring outside the Midlands.
Kershaw County has been particularly active, experiencing a total of 68 confirmed earthquakes since June 2022 alone. The geological activity in this area includes larger seismic events, such as the two strongest quakes in the past decade, which occurred on June 29, 2022, registering magnitudes of 3.5 and 3.6. Additionally, a 4.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded in McCormick County back in 2014.
The April 24 earthquake was classified as a micro quake according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. Quakes of 2.5 magnitude or lower are often unnoticed by most people and typically only detected by seismographs. The state generally experiences between six and ten earthquakes each year, which trends align with the seismic patterns observed over recent years.
Despite the increased seismic activity, current assessments suggest that officials do not foresee any significant damaging earthquakes in the state in the near future. The strongest earthquake in South Carolina’s recorded history occurred in 1886 in Charleston, registering a magnitude of 7.3 and resulting in 60 fatalities.
Residents in Elgin and surrounding areas have expressed concern over the ongoing seismic activity, which appears to be forming a pattern of earthquake swarms in the locality. The reasons behind the recent increase in earthquake occurrences remain largely unclear, with geological factors and landscape changes proposed as possible explanations.
State geologist Scott Howard stated that many smaller quakes often go unnoticed and are not recorded statistically. This information provides context for the public’s understanding of the potential risks associated with seismic events in South Carolina. While the recent earthquake did extend the track record of seismic activity in the state, authorities maintain that larger, damaging occurrences are not imminent.
Overall, the recent earthquake near Elgin adds to the notable seismic history in South Carolina, serving as a reminder of the geological dynamics at play in the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The State: South Carolina Earthquake Report
- Wikipedia: Earthquake
- Post and Courier: South Carolina Earthquakes
- Google Scholar: South Carolina Earthquakes
- Weatherboy: South Carolina Earthquake Activity
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Earthquake in South Carolina
- WIS TV: Overnight Earthquake Report
- Google News: South Carolina Earthquake
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
