Earthquakes

Earthquakes

When is the last time an earthquake hit Beaufort County? 

Small earthquakes hit with some frequency. The closest and most recent earthquake occurred May 21, 2012 6 miles south of Summerville. It was very minor and registered 1.0 on the Richter scale. The last big earthquake on record was in 1886. Experts say it was 7.6 on the Richter Scale and was centered in the Lowcountry. It killed 60 people. Damage occurred within a 200 mile radius of Charleston. There are still historic structures in Beaufort County today that show visible damage from the quake. For more information, visit the US Geological Survey (USGS) : http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/index.php?regionID=40

There is additional information in the Post Disaster Assistance Manual under “Important Documents” at this website.

Where are the fault lines?

There are many fault lines that run through the state, especially in the Coastal Plain. The S.C. Geological Survey has published a map which can be viewed online at www.dnr.sc.gov .

Are we prepared for an earthquake?

Beaufort County building Codes has a permitting and inspection process that ensures structures in Beaufort county are as earthquake resistant as possible. Also, during roadway and bridge construction, County engineers make sure our infrastructure is built as soundly as possible in order to withstand  earthquakes and other disasters. Sometimes, the soil must be equipped to prevent liquidation which would result in the collapse of highways and bridges.