ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A cluster of small earthquakes has shaken communities in Greenwood County, South Carolina, with the U.S. Geological Survey confirming at least 13 quakes since Aug. 19.
Most of the seismic activity was recorded near Coronaca, an unincorporated community about seven miles east of Greenwood, according to USGS data. Eleven of the earthquakes struck within a 65-hour span from Aug. 23 to Aug. 25, with magnitudes ranging from 1.7 to 3.0.
Two of the strongest quakes — a 2.9 and a 3.0 — struck early Aug. 23. Reports of shaking were widespread, with the 3.0 magnitude tremor felt as far away as Texas, New York and Rhode Island.
South Carolina Emergency Management confirmed another 1.7-magnitude earthquake northwest of Coronaca around 5:04 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25.
Charlotte meteorologist Brad Panovich noted that Greenwood County “keeps shaking,” reporting 18 quakes in the past 10 days, most within the previous three days.
The following earthquakes have been recorded in the Coronaca and Lake Greenwood area since Aug. 19:
- 2.2 magnitude on Aug. 19
- 1.7 magnitude on Aug. 19
- 2.9-magnitude on Aug. 23
- 3.0-magnitude on Aug. 23
- 2.5-magnitude on Aug. 23
- 1.9-magnitude on Aug. 23
- 2.0-magnitude on Aug. 23
- 2.4-magnitude on Aug. 23
- 1.8-magnitude on Aug. 23
- 2.1-magnitude on Aug. 23
- 1.8-magnitude on Aug. 24
- 2.0-magnitude on Aug. 25
- 1.7-magnitude on Aug. 25
No major damage has been reported.
Local meteorologists said earthquakes in the Western North Carolina/Upstate South Carolina area are not rare or unusual because of the numerous small faults and the Southeast’s location between many active seismic zones.
