News Summary
Columbia, South Carolina experienced a 1.5 magnitude earthquake at 5:09 a.m. on March 19, 2025, marking the fifth quake of the year in the state. Residents in the Midlands felt the tremor, leading to heightened anxiety about seismic activity. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that Elgin is experiencing an unusual earthquake swarm. Experts urge residents to prepare and review their earthquake insurance, despite the reassurances around the recent minor quakes.
Another Earthquake Rattles Columbia, South Carolina!
Columbia, South Carolina woke up to a little surprise early Wednesday morning, March 19, 2025. At precisely 5:09 a.m., a 1.5 magnitude earthquake made its presence known, shaking the ground just enough to send residents scrambling for their phones to check what was going on. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake was located near Elgin in Kershaw County, approximately 1.3 miles beneath the surface.
A Growing Trend of Quakes
This tremor marks the fifth confirmed earthquake in South Carolina for the year, and it’s the third in the Midlands area alone. Just last month, on February 15, 2025, folks near Elgin felt a slightly stronger 2.0 magnitude quake. In comparison, South Carolina had a total of 30 confirmed earthquakes in 2024 and recorded 28 in 2023. It seems like the state’s shaking things up a bit as Kershaw County alone has felt 67 confirmed earthquakes since June 2022!
Looking back, the state indeed seems to be a hotspot for seismic activity. The largest quake in recorded history took place in Charleston back in 1886, registering a staggering 7.3 magnitude. Though today’s quakes are much smaller, they still raise eyebrows and, for some residents, a certain level of anxiety.
Understanding the Earthquakes
The earthquake on Wednesday was classified as a micro quake on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, meaning it’s a minor tremor that most people wouldn’t even notice. While those registering at 2.5 magnitude or lower often go unnoticed, they do play a crucial role in the study of South Carolina’s geology. Overall, since 2022, an impressive 139 earthquakes have been recorded in the state, but only 30 occurred outside the Midlands.
With things shaking up in Columbia, many residents are left wondering if a bigger quake is on its way. However, state officials are reassuring everyone that the recent cluster of minor earthquakes does not signify a larger event is imminent. They encourage all residents to take precautions by reviewing their earthquake insurance policies and securing household items, just in case. It’s always best to be prepared!
Elgin’s Earthquake Swarm
Interestingly, Elgin has become a focal point for what’s being described as an unusual earthquake “swarm.” This has raised flags among residents who can feel the ground shifting below them. Experts are even investigating whether the nearby Wateree River plays a role in this seismic activity.
For the Columbia area specifically, since a notable 3.3-magnitude quake on December 27, 2021, the region has experienced a total of 115 earthquakes. Such figures might make some folks a bit jittery, but the consensus is that these minor tremors are more common than one might think. The S.C. Geological Survey indicates that the state annually averages between six and ten earthquakes.
In Conclusion
As Columbia residents continue to shake it off after the early morning tremor, experts remind everyone about the importance of preparedness. Although the recent activity is mostly harmless, it’s a good reminder about the forces of nature at play just beneath our feet. Staying informed can make all the difference, and here’s hoping Columbia stays calm for the rest of the day!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WBTV: Early Morning Earthquake Reported South Carolina
- Wikipedia: Earthquake
- Fox Carolina: Overnight Earthquake Reported South Carolina
- Google Search: South Carolina earthquake
- WYFF4: Earthquake Magnitude 1.5 Elgin South Carolina
- Google Scholar: Earthquake activity South Carolina
- WXII12: Earthquake South Carolina North Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Earthquake
- WISTV: Officials Morning Earthquake Reported South Carolina
- Google News: South Carolina earthquake news
Author: HERE Greenwood
GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER 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.
