Irmo, South Carolina experienced its third earthquake in less than a week on Monday evening, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The latest tremor, registering a magnitude of 1.8, occurred at approximately 6:44 p.m. About 3.5 miles west of Irmo.
This follows a 1.9 magnitude earthquake reported on Sunday, February 15th, at 11:57 p.m., centered roughly 3 miles west-southwest of Irmo. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division confirmed that event. Prior to that, on February 13th, a 2.8 magnitude earthquake struck the same general area, approximately three miles from Irmo.
The USGS reported a 2.0 magnitude earthquake likewise occurred near Irmo late Sunday, around midnight. This makes a total of three earthquakes in four days.
According to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the recent seismic activity brings the total number of earthquakes recorded in South Carolina and nearby areas of North Carolina to 12 over the past three weeks. A 2.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Ladson, South Carolina on February 8th, representing the strongest quake in the region during this period.
While South Carolina is not typically known for frequent earthquakes, the state typically records between 10 and 20 earthquakes annually, with two to five being felt by residents. Earthquakes with a magnitude between 0.0 and 2.9 are classified as “micro” earthquakes and are generally not felt except by a few people. However, online reports following the recent Irmo quakes indicate some residents experienced light shaking.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division notes that clusters of low-magnitude earthquakes, known as swarms, can occur and cause concern among nearby residents. The cause of the current swarm near Irmo remains under investigation.
