Earthquakes in South Carolina

Earthquakes are probably the most frightening naturally occurring hazard encountered.
Why? Earthquakes typically occur with little or no warning.There is no escape from an earthquake! While South Carolina is usually not known for
earthquakes, ten to twenty earthquakes are recorded annually and two to five earthquakes are felt each year. These earthquakes tend to be less than
magnitude 3.0 on the magnitude scale and cause little damage.
Earthquake Causes: An earthquake is the violent shaking of the earth caused by a
sudden movement of rock beneath its surface.

Plate Tectonics: Although earthquakes can occur anywhere on earth, the majority
of earthquakes worldwide occur at plate boundaries. These earthquakes are known Eurasian
North Plate
as interplate earthquakes. In contrast, South Carolina is located within the interior American
Plate
of the North American plate, far from any plate boundary. Earthquakes occuring
Caribbean
within a plate are intraplate earthquakes. Little is known as to why intraplate Plate
Pacific Plate
earthquakes occur. The most widely accepted model is that several geologically old Cocos
Plate
fault systems of varying orientation within the subsurface are being reactivated
while being subjected to stress.This stress buildup may be due to the Plate Tectonic
Theory. For hundreds of millions of years, the forces of continental drift have
reshaped the Earth. Continental drift is based on the concept that the continents Nazca Plate
South
American
bumped into, and slid over and under each other and at some later time broke Plate
apart. Today, most people accept the theory that the Earth's crust is on the move.
Antarctica Plate

South Carolina’s Fault System

Most of South Carolina’s earthquakes occur in the Coastal Plain
where the underlying rocks are very faulted or broken from the
break-up of the plates. These cracks in the deep rocks mean
that this area of the plate is weak. If pressure is exerted on the
edge of the plate, some of these faults/breaks will allow the
rocks to move. Faults in South Carolina have been mapped and
estimated. Fault rupture is not the only cause of earthquakes.
South Carolina
Small earthquakes may also occur near dams from water Earthquakes from
pressure and near the Appalachian Mountains. 1698 to Present

Threat Level for South Carolina

Currently, there is no reliable method for predicting the time, place, and size of an earthquake. Several areas of Destruction Based
South Carolina regularly experience earthquakes and have experienced strong earthquakes in the past. on Intensity
Approximately 70% of all earthquakes in the state occur in the Coastal Plain with most clustered around three 10 Complete
areas of the State: Ravenel-Adams Run-Hollywood, Middleton-Place-Summerville, and Bowman. There is a destruction
consensus among seismologists that where earthquakes have occurred before, they can again.The two most 5/6 Cracks in walls,
windows broken
significant historical earthquakes in South Carolina were the 1886 Charleston earthquake and the 1913 Union
4 Things would be
County earthquake. The August 31, 1886 earthquake which struck in the Summerville/Charleston area is the thrown off shelves
largest event to have occurred in the southeastern U.S. and the most destructive, killing 60 people. On January 1, 2 If lying down,
1913, Union County experienced an earthquake that by today’s standards would probably be measured as a M 4.1 vibrations might
on the Magnitude scale. Not much is known about the cause of the Union County earthquake because of the lack of be felt
technology at the time.
 Charleston Earthquake of 1886
On August 31, 1886, Charleston, South Carolina, experienced the most damaging earthquake in the eastern United States. The initial shock lasted nearly
one minute. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.3 (Johnson, 1996) and was felt over 2.5 million square miles, from Cuba to NewYork, and Bermuda to
the Mississippi River. Structural damage extended several hundreds of miles to cities in Alabama, Ohio, and Kentucky. At the time of the earthquake,
many of the residents of Charleston thought it was a calamity that struck the entire world. Many residents were surprised when they discovered it was
principally their area where the majority of severe damage occurred.

Geologically, Charleston lies in one of the most seismically active areas in the Eastern United States. The seismicity in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina
clusters around the cities of Summerville and Bowman, SC, known as the Middleton Place - Summerville Seismic Zone (MPSSZ). The MPSSZ seismicity
appears to be occurring in two steeply dipping faults. The first fault is the deeper, northeast-trending Woodstock Fault and the second is the shallower,
northwest-trending Ashley River Fault. Recent seismic activity (November 2002; M=4.2 & 3.5) has also included an earthquake in the Atlantic Ocean off
the coast of South Carolina.
Currently the MPSSZ experiences between 10 to 15
magnitude 3 or less events every year. Large events, like the
1886 earthquake, have been recorded in the oral history of
the area (~1600 and 13-1400's AD). Additionally, paleoseismic
investigations have shown evidence for several pre-historic,
liquefaction-inducing earthquakes in coastal South Carolina
in the last 6000 years. If the present is the key to the past,
and the past is an analog for the future, then the Charleston
region can expect to experience another 1886 magnitude
event in the future. (South Carolina Earthquake Educationand
Preparedness, College of Charleston.)

An Earthquake Today
Results of a scientific study commissioned by the South Carolina Emergency Management Division indicate that an earthquake today of similar intensity(7.3)
and location to the one in 1886 could have the following results:

• An estimated 45,000 casualties, of which approximately 9,000 (about 20 percent) would be major injuries requiring hospitalization; fatalities would
number about 900. A daytime event would cause the highest number of casualties.
• Nearly 70,000 households, or about 200,000 people, would be displaced, with an estimated 60,000 people requiring short-term shelter.
• Total economic losses from damage to buildings, direct business interruption losses, and damage to transportation and utility systems would exceed
$20 billion. Direct economic losses due to building damages (without the business interruption losses) are estimated to exceed $14 billion.
Transportation and utility systems' direct economic losses would exceed $1 billion.
• About $10.9 billion in economic losses would occur in the tri-county area of Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester. The building damages alone would
cause more than $4.2 billion in losses due to direct business interruption in the state. Loss estimates include rental income, business income, wages, and
relocation expenses.
• More than 250 fires would burn, primarily in the tri-county area. The lack of operational firefighting equipment and water due to the earthquake would
be a major concern.
• About 80 percent of urban households in the affected tri-county area would be deprived of water. It would take weeks, if not months, to restore the
water systems to normal operation.
• Hospitals would likely suffer significant building damage that could result in up to 30 hospitals out of the 108 (about 30 percent) being nonfunctional.
• More than 220 schools and more than 160 fire stations would have significant damage. In addition, extensive damage is expected to the large inventory
of relocatable school buildings.
• Close to 800 bridges would be damaged beyond use, thus hampering recovery efforts.
• About 63 electric power facilities (51 substations out of 380, and 12 power plants out of 53) would suffer at least moderate damage; about 300,000
households would be without power.
• More than 36 million tons of debris would be generated.
 Earthquake Home Hazard Hunt
Recommendations for reducing earthquake hazards in your home.
Securely fasten or
relocate heavy Brace or replace
pictures and masonry chimneys
mirrors over beds.
Strengthen garages
that have living
space above them.
Strap down
computers

Secure ceiling fans

and hanging light
fixtures

Strap bookcases &

shelves to walls to
prevent tipping

Know how & where

Know how & where to shut off utilities
to shut off utilities

Prevent rolling or
tilting of
refridgerators
Brace water heaters
Ensure that gas Secure cabinets to wall Strap down televisions
Upgrade unbraced crawlspace walls appliances have studs; use latches to and other expensive or
(or other foundation problems) flexible keep doors from opening hazardous electrical
connections during an earthquake components

Citizens with Functional Needs

Citizens with disabilities and functional needs should understand the importance of being prepared for the effects of an earthquake. Unlike some
disasters, normally there is no time for evacuation and citizens should shelter-in-place. Planning ahead is the key. Identifying potential hazards ahead
of time can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life.
• Talk to neighbors, family or caregivers about how to protect your home and belongings from
earthquake damage. Check for hazards in your home. Repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and
foundations and anchoring overhead lighting will help reduce the impact of an earthquake.
• Make sure that you have your supplies kit and that it is maintained. Some of the supplies that you
should have in your kit include batteries for hearing aids, flashlights and similar devices, extra oxygen
tanks, electrical backups for medical equipment, emergency food and water including provisions for
special dietary requirements and an emergency supply of your medications.
• Drop, Cover, and Hold On: Modifications for people with disabilities or access and functional needs:
• INDOORS: If you are able, “DROP to the ground immediately; take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk
or table; HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops. If you use a wheelchair or have other mobility
impairments and cannot Drop, Cover, and Hold On, protect your head and neck with a pillow or your
arms, and bend over to protect yourself if you are able.
• IN BED: Stay there and hold on; protect your head with a pillow.
• WHAT NOT TO DO: If your mobility is limited, it is particularly important that you DO NOT try to get to a
“safer place” or get outside. Movement will be very difficult, and studies of injuries and deaths caused by
earthquakes in the U.S. over the last several decades indicate that you are much more likely to be injured
by falling or flying objects (TVs, lamps, glass, bookcases, etc.) than to die in a collapsed building.
• ALWAYS REMEMBER, if you are unable to move, remember to protect your head and neck with your
arms as best possible. Don’t try to leave until the shaking is over.
 My Pet in an Earthquake
Before the Event
In an earthquake we may not have a warning, but you can prepare for your pets as you do for any other disaster:
• Maintain a list of locations and phone numbers of potential refuge sites: specialized pet shelters, boarding facilities, veterinary clinics, pet-friendly hotels,
stables, or homes of friends and relatives. Share the list with family and neighbors.
• Choose and use an ID method for each animal. Examples include microchipping, ID tags on collar, and photos of you with your animal. This is extremely
important if your animals become lost.
• Keep your animals’ immunizations - especially rabies – current.
• Maintain animals’ health records, proof of vaccinations, microchip numbers, and necessary prescriptions with your other important family papers.
• Maintain a disaster ‘go kit’ for each animal: means of confinement (cage or carrier large enough for them to stand and turn around in), leash, harness,
bowls, 3-days of water and food, medications, specific care instructions, litterbox, and clean-up supplies.
• Meet with or notify your county emergency manager if you wish them to be aware of special needs you may have, such as assistance with evacuation if you
possess a guide dog or other service animal.
Immediate Aftermath
Damage from the quake may cause our familiar landscape to be unrecognizable. Our
companion animals may be displaced from their homes. The immediate focus for
emergency workers during this time will be human safety.
When circumstances allow, there will be personnel who are trained in animal
emergencies integrated into the incident management structure to assist emergency
workers and citizens with animal needs. These needs may include ‘rescue’ (capture and
transport to safety), ID, treatment, temporary shelter and care, and reuniting with
owners.
Public information about options for assistance with animals will be provided as soon
as possible from the SC Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) by way of news
briefings, telephone hotlines, and social media sources.
After the Earthquake
If your animals cannot be found, contact your veterinarian, animal care and control
office, and/or county and state emergency managers who can provide you with search
lists and databases of animals that have been found and sheltered during the event.
When you and your animals return home, check to be sure your surroundings are clear
of dangers such as downed power lines, debris, and displaced wild animals.
Other Resources
Other resources include your veterinarian and animal care/humane organizations, and
these web sites: www.clemson.edu/LPH (then go to Emergency Preparedness);
www.scav.org; www.avma.org.

Important Web Sites

• South Carolina Emergency Management Division • South Carolina Insurance News Service
www.scemd.org www.scinsnews.com
• University of South Carolina Seismic Network • Emergency and disaster preparedness for children
www.seis.sc.edu www.ready.gov/kids
• SC State Geologist’s Office, SC • Citizen Corps emergency and disaster preparedness information
Department of Natural Resources for adults
www.dnr.sc.gov/geology/earthquake.htm www.citizencorps.gov
• U.S. Geological Survey information on South Carolina • Red Cross emergency and disaster preparedness information
earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states.php?region=South%20Carolina www.redcross.org
• Earthquake Safety for Vulnerable Populations:
www.preparenow.org/pop.html
• How to reduce risk for earthquakes:
www.disastersafety.org/Earthquake
• South Carolina Earthquake Education and Preparedness Program
scearthquakes.cofc.edu
 Earthquake Insurance
• Most people don't buy earthquake insurance because they think it's too expensive and an earthquake will never happen to them. In South Carolina, the
entire state is considered to have a moderate to high risk for earthquakes.
• An earthquake of the same magnitude as the 1886 earthquake would cost close to $40 billion in today’s dollars (according to Applied Insurance Research).
• Most homeowner and rental insurance policies DO NOT cover damages caused by an earthquake, but coverage can be added to most policies as an
"endorsement" for an additional cost.
• Even in earthquake prone areas, only 25-28% of homeowners have earthquake insurance. (Western Insurance Information Institute)
• Earthquake deductibles are set as percentages, i.e. 5% or 10% of the coverage amount rather than fixed dollar amounts. The earthquake deductibles apply
separately from your basic homeowner's (and business) policy deductible.
• Following a damaging earthquake, South Carolinians could face loss of life, injury and property damage. Without earthquake insurance, you will have to
pay for all losses to your home and possessions.

After Shock
Earthquakes have many effects that can be separated into two groups: primary and secondary.
Primary Effects are features that are always present in a severe earthquake.
• Buildings collapse • Large areas of ground can shift position
• Electric lines and gas mains can snap • Large bodies of water can rise and fall
Aftershocks are earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence. They are usually smaller than the mainshock and within 1-2 rupture
lengths distance from the mainshock. Aftershocks can continue over a period of weeks, months, or years. After the 1886 earthquake, 300 aftershocks were
recorded in that area for a 2 ½ year period.
In general, the larger the mainshock, the larger and more numerous the aftershocks, and the longer they will continue.
Secondary effects are other disasters caused by the ground movement of earthquakes. Most of the damage done by earthquakes is due to secondary
effects that can occur over very large regions, causing wide-spread damage, such as:
• Landslides
These occur in hilly/mountainous regions. The damage caused can range from blocked roads to
possibly huge property damage and many deaths.
• Soil Liquefaction
This happens when the movement caused by an earthquake forces water to seep into the
material beneath a building. This causes saturated granular material to lose its strength and
briefly change into a liquid from a solid. This forces the foundations of structures to become very
unstable and sink into the ground.
• Fires
Earthquakes can easily cause fires. Ground movements can lead to gas and fuel leaks in pipes,
cutting of electrical cables, etc. The destruction of water pipes makes it harder to fight such fires
should they occur. The Earthquake of 1906 in San Francisco ruptured the main water supply, and
as a result, there was extensive fire damage.

When the earthquake is over, review what has occured.

To do this you should:
• Check on the status of your family’s physical health and the safety of your
home.
• You will probably be on your own for three days or more if roads or
bridges are damaged and/or blocked. Be prepared to take care of your
family until help arrives.
• Take one step at a time and pay attention to the mental health of your
family.
After you’ve recovered:
• Restock your Supplies Kit.
• Review and update your personal emergency plan.
• Get trained and volunteer so you can help others in your community
 When the Ground Moves
Drop DROP down on the floor: Tips
When in a HIGH-RISE BUILDING, move against an interior wall if
Take COVER under a sturdy desk, table you are not near a desk or table. Protect your head and neck with
your arms. Do not use the elevators.
or other furniture. If that is not possible,
seek cover against an interior wall and When OUTDOORS, move to a clear area away from trees, signs,
protect your head and neck with your buildings, or downed electrical wires and poles.
arms. Avoid danger spots near windows,
Cover hanging objects, mirrors, or tall When on a SIDEWALK NEAR BUILDINGS, duck into a doorway to
protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster and other debris.
furniture.
When DRIVING, pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid
overpasses and power lines. Stay inside your vehicle until the
shaking stops.

If you take cover under a sturdy piece of When in a CROWDED STORE OR OTHER PUBLIC PLACE, move
Hold furniture, HOLD on to it and be prepared away from display shelves containing objects that could fall. Do not
to move with it. Hold the position until rush for the exit.
the ground stops shaking and it is safe
When in a STADIUM OR THEATER, stay in your seat, get below
to move. the level of the back of the seat and cover your head and neck with
your arms.

Disaster Supply Kit

Be self-sufficient for at least three days.
Have basic supplies on hand and make sure everyone in your family knows how to pull them together quickly.
This checklist can help you develop a supplies kit:
Non-perishable food
Drinking water, one gallon per person per day
Flashlights, extra batteries, and bulbs
Battery-powered AM/FM radio or hand crank radio and
NOAA weather radio with extra batteries
First-aid kit and manual
Matches in a waterproof container
Non-electric can opener For more info go to
Essential medicines, including prescriptions www.scemd.org/Prepare/
Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeve shirt family_kit.html
and long pants
Sturdy shoes
Masks to guard against dust
Baby supplies
Fire extinguisher
Mess kits, paper cups, plates, utensils, and paper towels
Important family documents
Paper and pencil
Toiletries
Books, toys and games
Pet food and extra water for your pet
 Common Earthquake Terms
Epicenter Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale
The point on the Earth's surface above the The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale is commonly used in the United States by
point at depth in the Earth's crust where seismologists seeking information on the severity of earthquake effects.
an earthquake begins. Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale Magnitude Scale
Fault
A fracture or crack along which two I Micro (I) Not felt except by a very few people under especially favorable conditions. 0.0-2.9
blocks of rock slide past one another. This (II) Felt only by a few people at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings.
movement may occur rapidly, in the form (III) Felt quite noticeably by people indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings.
II-III Minor Many people do not recognize it as an earthquake. Standing motorcars may rock 3.0-3.9
of an earthquake, or slowly, in the form of slightly. Vibrations similar to the passing of a truck may be felt. Duration
creep. estimated.
Seismologists (IV) Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night, some awakened.
Scientists who study earthquakes and Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make cracking sounds. Vibrations felt are
their causes and results. IV-V Light similar to a heavy truck striking a building. 4.0-4.9
(V) Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened; some dishes, windows broken and
Seismogram unstable objects overturned; pendulum clocks may stop.
The record made by a seismograph. (VI) Felt by all, many frightened; some heavy furniture movement; a few instances of
Seismographs fallen plaster; damage slight.
Instruments that make an automatic VI-VII Moderate (VII) Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction; slight to 5.0-5.9
moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable damage in poorly built or
record of the time, duration, direction, badly designed structures; some chimneys broken.
and intensity of earthquakes. (VIII) Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable damage in
Theory of Plate Tectonics ordinary substantial building with partial collapse; damage great in poorly built
States that the earth’s crust is divided structures. Chimneys, factory stacks, columns, monuments, walls may fall, heavy
into a number of relatively rigid plates VIII-IX Strong furniture overturned. 6.0-6.9
(IX) Damage considerable in specially designed structures; well-designed frame
that collide with, separate from, and structures thrown out of plumb; damage great in substantial buildings, with
translate past one another at their partial collapse; buildings shifted off foundations.
boundaries, this disruption commonly (X) Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame
results in earthquakes. X or Major to structures destroyed with foundations; rails bent. 7.0 and
Higher Great (XI) Few, if any, (masonry) structures remain standing; bridges destroyed; rails bent Higher
greatly.
(XII) Damage total; lines of sight and level are distorted; objects thrown into the air.

SCEMD Online
Winner of the Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Award from the National Association of Government
Communicators. The South Carolina Earthquake Guide was produced as a public service by the
South Carolina Emergency Management Division in coordination with local, state, federal and
volunteer organizations to promote earthquake education and disaster preparedness.

Stay connected with SCEMD through your favorite social media. Visit our main website,
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