RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — Residents of the Lower Richland area may have felt a slight rumble late Tuesday night. It was an earthquake.
The magnitude 1.9 earthquake was confirmed on Wednesday morning but happened just before 11:30 p.m. the previous night. It signifies the first South Carolina Midlands earthquake of 2023 and, based on the current reviewed status, deviated from the usual location significantly.
The last 83 earthquakes, which occurred in just over a year's time, generally happened in the Elgin and Lugoff communities. The latest appears to be centered roughly 5.6 miles east-northeast of Hopkins near Garners Ferry and R.L. Coward roads.
It's worth noting, however, that the epicenter location is sometimes adjusted as more data becomes available. At this point, no residents have reported to the U.S. Geological Survey that they felt it which is likely since most people won't feel earthquakes below a magnitude 2.5.
