ELGIN, S.C. — The United States Geological Service (USGS) is reporting three earthquakes near Elgin Monday morning. First, a 3.3 magnitude earthquake occurred at 1:32 a.m.. Two aftershocks were recorded a few hours later -- a 1.6 magnitude at 4:39 a.m. and a 1.8 magnitude aftershock occurred at 5:10 a.m. -- in the same area.
These earthquakes are the 24th, 25th and 26th earthquakes recorded near the Elgin area since mid-December, the 21st, 22nd and 23rd tremblers since January 1, 2022. Of the 22 earthquakes in South Carolina, 19 have been in southern Kershaw County. The last earthquake in the area took place just last month and had a 2.2 magnitude.
This morning's 3.3 quake was centered at coordinates 34.167°N 80.726°W, approximately 6 kilometers (3.73 miles) east of Elgin, at a depth of 3.1 kilometers (1.9 miles). The 3.3 magnitude quake ties for the biggest earthquake in the states since Valentines Day 2014.
As of 8:30 a.m., over 4,100 individuals responded to the "Did you feel it?" registry on the USGS site. Most responders report the quake was felt across Kershaw, Lexington, and Camden counties. The most intense shaking was felt in zipcodes: 29045, 29229, 29287, and 29223.
The 1.6 aftershock was centered at coordinates 34.134°N 80.717°W , approximately 8 km (5 mi) east southeast of Elgin, at a depth of 2.9 km (1.8 mi).
The 1.8 aftershock was centered at coordinates 34.144°N 80.727°W, approximately 6 km (3.73 mi) east southeast of Elgin, at a depth of 4.1 km (2.54 mi).