(Columbia, SC) — The South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP has announced that the first confirmed earthquake of 2025 occurred on Wednesday, January 8th, in the Columbia area. The minor tremor registered a magnitude of 1.9 and was recorded near Jenkinsville in Fairfield County, approximately 1.8 miles beneath the surface, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) classified the event as a micro quake, with no reports of injuries or significant damage. Earthquakes of this magnitude, typically 2.5 or lower, often go unnoticed by the public and are generally detected only through specialized seismic instruments.
While earthquakes are common in the Midlands, particularly near Kershaw County, the frequency of activity has drawn attention in recent years. Since the start of 2022, at least 135 earthquakes have been recorded across the state, with the vast majority concentrated in the Columbia area.
Notably, the most significant earthquakes in recent history were two tremors measuring 3.5 and 3.6 magnitude near Elgin on June 29, 2022. These remain the strongest in nearly a decade, following a 4.1 magnitude quake in McCormick County in 2014.
While the cause of the increased seismic activity remains undetermined, SCEMD officials emphasize preparedness. Director Kim Stenson previously stated, “Though the frequency of these minor earthquakes may alarm some, we do not expect a significantly damaging earthquake in South Carolina at this time, even though we know our state had them decades ago. Now is the time to review your insurance policies for earthquake coverage, secure any items in your home that may become hazards during a tremor, and remember to drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking passes.”
The strongest earthquake ever recorded in South Carolina was the devastating 7.3 magnitude quake in Charleston in 1886, which resulted in 60 deaths and was felt from Cuba to New York.
Residents who felt tremors or heard rumbling from the January 8th event are encouraged to report their experience to the USGS.
For additional updates on seismic activity in South Carolina, visit the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources website or contact the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
