South Carolina’s Most Powerful Earthquake Ever Was a Real World-Shaker

South Carolina is not a state known for experiencing frequent or powerful earthquakes. However, that doesn’t mean the Palmetto State is immune to them. A few reasonably strong earthquakes have rocked the state in the past. Get ready to learn about South Carolina’s most powerful earthquake and learn when it struck, how strong it was, and what damage it caused to the region!

What Was South Carolina’s Most Powerful Earthquake?

South Carolina’s most powerful earthquake was a 6.9 to 7.3 M_w quake that struck the Palmetto State on August 31, 1886. The earthquake struck at a time before seismographs were widely available, so the exact moment magnitude is not available. However, based on the quake’s damage, scientists were able to provide an estimate of the event’s power.

This earthquake was unusual for several reasons, the least of which is its location. Although South Carolina gets about 10 to 15 quakes per year, few of them are noticeable. The ones that are noticed rarely cause significant damage. However, South Carolina’s most powerful earthquake devastated the region. The maximum intensity of this quake was rated X, or Extreme. No recorded quakes before or after this event have come close to the 1886 event.

What Caused the 1886 Charleston Earthquake?

At first, scientists were puzzled about the quake’s origins. However, scientists now believe that it was an intraplate earthquake. Intraplate earthquakes occur when an old rift reactivates within a tectonic plate. However, scientists are not entirely sure about the precise mechanisms of intraplate earthquakes, including the 1886 Charleston earthquake. Only about 5% of earthquakes are intraplate quakes. Most of them occur at the boundaries between tectonic plates, and they are called interplate earthquakes.

The precise origins of the 1886 Charleston earthquake may come from faults dating back to the disintegration of Pangaea. So, knowing a little about the quake’s origins, let’s take a closer look at where it struck and the impact it had on the region.

Where Was the Quake’s Epicenter?

South Carolina’s most powerful earthquake had an epicenter located at 32.9°N 80.0°W. This area is in North Charleston, an area bounded by the Ashley River and the Cooper River. The epicenter’s location allowed the earthquake to do serious damage to Charleston.

The damage was not localized to Charleston, of course. The quake affected areas dozens of miles away from the epicenter, causing damage in Georgia and other places.

What Damage Did South Carolina’s Most Powerful Earthquake Cause?

The 1886 Charleston earthquake inflicted terrible damage on the city of Charleston and areas nearby. Foreshocks started between August 27 and August 28, 1886. Then, on August 31 at 9:51 p.m., the quake started. The shaking lasted just under a minute, but that was more than enough time to cause catastrophic damage. Many buildings in Charleston were affected, and some totally collapsed. Thousands of chimneys fell as a result of the earthquake.

The shaking earth bent railroads, destroyed water lines, and caused ground liquefication. Gas lines also ruptured, sparking fires that added to the chaos of the events. A few dams broke as well, flooding farmlands and washing away roads. Aftershocks continued to affect the area for years to come.

The total cost of the damage at the time of the incident was about $6 million. These days, that amount would be equal to over $100 million. Charleston was not the only area affected by the earthquake. Places over 50 miles away from the epicenter recorded damage stemming from this powerful event.

This earthquake was so powerful that it was felt all the way in New Orleans, Boston, and Chicago. The quake caused serious damage throughout the state. However, it also had a high cost in terms of human life as well.  

How Many People Perished in the 1886 Charleson Earthquake?

Contemporary reports state that around 60 to 100 people died as a result of South Carolina’s most powerful earthquake. People were crushed by buildings as they crumbled, and others were killed during the fires spawned by the earthquake. Many other people were injured during the earthquake and its immediate aftermath. Due to the lack of available information at the time the earthquake struck, we don’t know just how many people were hurt during this event.

All told, South Carolina’s most powerful earthquake was the strongest recorded earthquake on the East Coast of the United States. Recently, a 5.8 M_w struck Virginia in 2011. Fortunately, this earthquake did not kill a single person. It was far weaker than the 1886 Charleston earthquake. However, the earthquake reminded people on the East Coast that devastating quakes are a real possibility even if they are uncommon.  

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