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A 2.9 magnitude earthquake shook South Carolina late Saturday night, marking the most powerful seismic activity in the state since late August 2025. The tremors hit near Centerville at 10:37 p.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Nearly 1,000 residents across the Lowcountry reported feeling the quake to the USGS, with some experiencing shaking as far as Fort Mill.
The Earthquake Marked the Second Near Centerville in Four Days
Saturday’s seismic event was the second earthquake to strike near Centerville in less than a week. A 2.3 magnitude quake hit the same area on February 3, according to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Geological Survey data. Earthquakes in the Lowcountry have been uncommon, with the state’s seismic activity typically concentrated in the Midlands region, particularly Kershaw County.
The Tremors Rumbled Three Miles Below the Surface
The earthquake originated approximately three miles beneath the ground surface, USGS data shows. By Monday morning, 958 people had submitted reports to the USGS describing their experiences. Despite the high number of reports, no one experienced more than “very light” shaking, according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. No damage or injuries were reported from the tremors.
Only One 2025 Earthquake Was More Powerful Than Saturday’s Event
Saturday’s 2.9 magnitude quake was the second-strongest earthquake recorded in South Carolina since August 2025. Only a 3.0 magnitude tremor that struck the Coronaca area on August 23, 2025, produced more powerful seismic activity, USGS records confirm. The February earthquake became the fourth confirmed seismic event in the Palmetto State in 2026, following two earlier quakes near Elgin in Kershaw County.
South Carolina Has Experienced 171 Earthquakes Since 2022
The recent tremors are part of a notable increase in seismic activity across the state. At least 171 earthquakes have been detected in South Carolina since the start of 2022, according to DNR records. The Midlands region has experienced the majority of this activity, with 121 of those earthquakes occurring in the Columbia area alone. In 2025, 35 earthquakes were confirmed statewide, compared to 30 in 2024.
Kershaw County Has Recorded 74 Earthquakes Since June 2022
Earthquake activity has concentrated heavily in Kershaw County, where 74 tremors have been confirmed since late June 2022. The area experienced what officials described as an unusual earthquake “swarm,” with clusters of seismic events occurring close together in time. The state’s two most powerful earthquakes in nearly a decade struck there on June 29, 2022, registering 3.5 and 3.6 magnitudes respectively.
Scientists Theorize a Connection to the Wateree River
Some scientists have theorized a connection between the Wateree River and earthquakes northeast of Columbia. They suggest high water levels in the Wateree River during parts of 2022 and 2023, combined with a single moderate earthquake in December 2022, may have contributed to the ongoing tremors. However, the exact cause of the Midlands’ increased shaking remains unclear to researchers.
The Recent Quakes Are Classified as Micro Earthquakes
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division categorized the majority of recent earthquakes as microquakes, according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. No major damage or injuries have been reported from any of the recent seismic activity. Michigan Technological University notes that earthquakes below 5.5 magnitude are unlikely to cause significant damage, far higher than South Carolina’s recent tremors.
South Carolina Typically Experienced Six to Ten Earthquakes Annually
The recent surge represents a dramatic departure from historical patterns. South Carolina traditionally recorded between six and 10 earthquakes per year, the state Geological Survey previously reported. The series of quakes might be the longest period of sustained earthquake activity in the state’s recorded history, officials said. State geologist Scott Howard said as many as 200 smaller tremors might have gone unnoticed and unrecorded.
Officials Say the Minor Tremors Don’t Signal a Major Earthquake
State officials say the uptick in seismic activity does not indicate a major earthquake is imminent in South Carolina. “Though the frequency of these minor earthquakes may alarm some, we do not expect a significantly damaging earthquake in South Carolina at this time,” South Carolina EMD Director Kim Stenson said in a news release. Officials recommend residents review earthquake insurance coverage and secure household items as precautionary measures.