JENKINSVILLE, S.C. — There's been another small earthquake in the Midlands, this time over in Fairfield County.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude 2.0 earthquake occurred Wednesday around 1:34 a.m. approximately 4.3 miles (7 kilometers) north northeast of Jenkinsville, South Carolina.
This is the seventh minor earthquake recorded in or around the Monticello Reservoir since November 17, 2023. USGS lists the following earthquakes since that date:
- Nov. 11: magnitude 1.8 at 6:26 p.m., 8K NNW of Jenkinsville
- Nov. 11: magnitude 1.7 at 6:45 a.m., 3K SSE of Jenkinsville
- Nov. 21: magnitude 1.6 at 5:56 a.m., 4K NE of Jenkinsville
- Nov. 26: magnitude 2.2 at 2:21 a.m., 8K NNW of Jenkinsville
- Nov. 26: magnitude 2.1 at 11:43 p.m., 6K N of Jenkinsville
- Nov. 28: magnitude 1.9 at 11 p.m;, 7K N of Jenkinsville
- Nov. 29: magnitude 2.0 at 1:34 a.m. 7K NNE of Jenkinsville
This mini-swarm is similar to the earthquake swarm near Elgin that began in December 2021. Since that time, the Elgin area has experienced over 90 minor earthquakes, the largest recorded was magnitude 3.6 on June 29, 2022.
South Carolina has a history of minor earthquake activity. The largest, most damaging earthquake on record is the 1886 Charleston earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.3. That quake was felt from New York to Cuba, killed at least 60 people and damaged thousands of buildings.