CAYCE, S.C. — A minor earthquake struck near Columbia early Friday morning, but it's unlikely anyone felt it.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the 1.8 magnitude tremor was recorded at 12:03 a.m. on January 3 in Cayce, but the exact coordinates show it was on the Richland County side of the Congaree River near the quarry.
The quake was about 2 miles under the surface.
At the 1.8 intensity, it's probably not possible that many people felt it. That's generally below the threshold that people can feel, with is about magnitude 2.5.
It's the third quake recorded in Cayce in the last two months. A 2.0 earthquake struck there back on November 7. A 2.5 magnitude quake struck on December 14.
Earthquakes happen throughout the state but most occur near the coast.. Approximately 70 percent of earthquakes are in the coastal plain, with most happening in the Lowcountry.
Back in 1886, Charleston was hit by a catastrophic earthquake. It had an estimated magnitude of 7.3, and was felt as far away and Cuba and New York. At least 60 people were killed, and thousands of building were damaged.
Structural damage extended hundreds of miles to cities in Alabama, Ohio, and Kentucky.
Geologists say that Charleston lies in one of the most seismically active areas in the eastern United States.
