CofC Professors Confirm Summerville Earthquake
July 31, 2012
CHARLESTON, SC – July 31, 2012 – The S.C. Earthquake Education and Preparedness Program at the College of Charleston confirms that a minor magnitude 2.8 earthquake occurred at 4:53 a.m. on July 31st 2012. According to the USGS (United States Geologic Survey) the quake, which occurred near the intersection of Ladson Rd and the Ashley River, was reported felt in both Summerville and Ladson with a few reports from the Charleston area.
Earthquakes of this size are generally not felt by sleeping persons or at any great distance. If the quake had occurred during the day when people were awake, more people in the Summerville, Ladson and West Ashley areas would have felt the quake but no damage would have occurred.
Earthquakes in the Summerville/North Charleston area occur on the active faults that produced the great 1886 earthquake which devastated the Charleston/Summerville area. The small, ongoing quakes indicate that the faults are still active and capable of producing a damaging earthquake at any time, though there is no direct indication that one is imminent. To
prepare for this possibility, the College of Charleston is joining millions of people in participating in the Great ShakeOut, an international earthquake drill. The Great ShakeOut will take place on October 18 at 10:18 a.m.
Great ShakeOut earthquake drills help people in homes, schools, and organizations practice how to be safe during big earthquakes, and provide an opportunity for everyone to improve their overall preparedness. Participants gain peace of mind and preparation to survive and recover quickly from the
next big earthquake in the region.
More information and to register for the Great ShakeOut: http://shakeout.org/
