Greenwood County, SC, August 24, 2025

News Summary

Greenwood County, SC, recently experienced a series of small earthquakes, with four significant tremors recorded within an hour early Saturday morning. These quakes ranged in magnitude from 1.5 to 3.0, waking residents but causing no reported damage. This seismic activity is part of a continuing trend in the region, highlighting South Carolina’s geological activity, which sees between 10 to 15 earthquakes each year. Local emergency management has assured residents about their safety during these natural occurrences.

Greenwood County, SC Experiences Series of Earthquakes

Greenwood County, South Carolina, was shaken by a swarm of small earthquakes in the early hours of Saturday morning, with four seismic events occurring within a one-hour span just after midnight. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, these earthquakes registered magnitudes ranging from 1.5 to 3.0.

The first quake struck at 12:17 a.m., recording a magnitude of 2.9, followed closely by a second quake at 12:23 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.0. A third tremor was felt at 12:41 a.m., registering 2.5, and the final earthquake hit at 1:21 a.m. with a magnitude of 1.5. Hundreds of residents in the area reported feeling the tremors, although no significant damage has been reported. The epicenters of these quakes were located near the Saluda River, close to Lake Greenwood and the Laurens County border.

Seismic maps indicated that at least seven earthquakes were recorded between magnitudes of 1.8 and 3.0 from midnight until around 3:40 a.m. on Saturday. Local authorities and emergency management services have confirmed that there were no reports of structural damage, although many residents have described the quakes as strong enough to wake them and cause small items in their homes to fall.

This recent series of earthquakes is part of an ongoing pattern of seismic activity in Greenwood County, with a total of ten earthquakes recorded in the region over the past week. Earlier quakes during the week included magnitudes of 2.2, 1.7, and 2.0. Reports indicate that over 200 individuals specifically felt the two larger earthquakes, highlighting the extent of local seismic experiences.

Background on Seismic Activity in South Carolina

South Carolina experiences between 10 and 15 earthquakes each year, though only a few are typically strong enough to be felt or cause damage. The state has several fault lines, making it prone to seismic events, especially in the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone. Historical records show that the most notable seismic event in the region occurred in 1886, when Charleston experienced a powerful earthquake estimated to be between 7.0 and 7.3 in magnitude, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life.

Despite the recent quake activity, the State of South Carolina’s emergency management systems are well-prepared for seismic events, ensuring that residents know how to react to these natural occurrences. The absence of reported damage in Greenwood County this time suggests that these smaller earthquakes, while unsettling, do not threaten local infrastructure.

Conclusion

As small earthquakes continue to be part of the natural landscape in Greenwood County, officials encourage residents to stay informed about seismic activity in the area. With no reports of damage and an effective emergency response system in place, the community can be reassured about their safety amid these tremors.

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Additional Resources

• WXII 12 News
• Wikipedia: Earthquake
• WLTX News
• Google Search: South Carolina earthquakes
• WYFF 4 News
• Google Scholar: earthquake swarm South Carolina
• New York Post
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Earthquake
• The State
• Google News: earthquakes Greenwood County

Author: HERE Greenwood

The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.