Weak Earthquake Rattles South Carolina Coast Near Bucksport

BUCKSPORT, S.C. — The South Carolina coast experienced a small but notable tremor early Saturday morning when a magnitude 1.9 earthquake struck near Bucksport, a community located between Charleston, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred at 12:32 a.m. from a depth of about 4.8 kilometers. While weak in intensity, the event is part of a recent string of small earthquakes shaking various states across the eastern United States — including Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Arkansas, Tennessee, and New Jersey — over the past several days.

Earthquakes in South Carolina: A Reminder of Seismic Risk

According to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), the state experiences roughly 10–15 earthquakes each year, though only three to five are typically felt by residents. Most seismic activity is concentrated in the Middleton Place–Summerville Seismic Zone, historically the site of the most damaging earthquake to strike the eastern U.S.

The 1886 Charleston-Summerville earthquake remains a landmark event in American history, estimated at magnitude 6.9–7.3. That quake caused significant destruction over a 60–100 mile radius, killed 60 people, and inflicted what would be more than $190 million in damages today. Shaking from that event was felt as far away as Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, and even in Cuba and Bermuda.

Minor Quake, No Damage Expected

The USGS notes that quakes under magnitude 2.0 are rarely felt. Events over 2.0 become more noticeable, while significant structural damage generally occurs only when magnitudes exceed 5.5.

The last recorded South Carolina quake before Saturday’s was on July 16, near Summerville, south of the latest epicenter. No other earthquakes have been recorded around Bucksport in the past 30 days.

What Would a Major Quake Mean Today?

A 2008 study in the Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering estimated that if an earthquake on the scale of the 1886 event struck today, South Carolina could face 900 deaths, 44,000 injuries, and over $20 billion in damages.

While Saturday’s tremor posed no such threat, emergency officials stress that preparedness is key, as earthquakes can strike without warning.

Have you ever felt an earthquake in South Carolina? Share your experience and thoughts with us in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.