Earthquake Awareness

Governor Nicki Haley has proclaimed this week as Earthquake Awareness week, and the SC Emergency Management division is encouraging citizens to learn more about our state’s fault system and how to best prepare for earthquakes. Thursday October 18 will be the first ever Great Southeast Shakeout drill.  Communities throughout the southeast will participate in the largest earthquake safety drill ever held in the southeast.  While most people don’t associate South Carolina with earthquakes, geologist with the University of Charleston say our state experience approximately 10 to 20 quakes per year.  South Carolinians are reminded that the epicenter of the largest earthquake ever recorded along the eastern United States seaboard was just out of Charleston in August 1886.  That 7.3 magnitude quake devastated Charleston and the area, and was felt from Chicago, Ill to Cuba.