Charleston, SC experiences 3 minor quakes 12/22/03.

[Stormsfury]

The same day that California was rocked by a 6.5 MAG quake on the Richter Scale, Charleston, SC has 3 minor tremors, with the main shock registering a 3.01 MAG on the Richter Scale (and subsequentially felt by myself and portions of the area).

The first quake actually occurred (as a foreshock) early in the morning registering only a 1.81, 10 km down. The main shock, registering a 3.0, occurred at 6:50 pm about 5.6 km down, and was felt by myself with a small explosion in the distance and a quick jolt on the ground shaking things for only a couple of seconds. The aftershock occurred 3 minutes later about 1 km deeper and registered 1.48 (not felt).

http://scsn.seis.sc.edu/html/chaslat.html

[Lindaloo]

Unbelievable!!

[Stephanie]

Did you feel anything SF?

[weatherluvr]

I know the Charleston area is active and has had large quakes in the past (I believe they had a mag. 8 in 1886). I hope this isn't a foreshadowing of more activity there...

[george_r_1961]

We had a quake in Richmond VA recently...and now one in NC. Sounds like an omen for the east coast:(

[Stormsfury]

Did you feel anything SF?

Yes. The 3.0 tremor at 6:50 pm produced an explosion and for a couple of seconds shook the ground. It felt like someone had hit the side of the house as I could hear the ground move. It wasn't really that big of a deal except that I immediately knew that it was indeed an earthquake.

SF

[Stormsfury]

I know the Charleston area is active and has had large quakes in the past (I believe they had a mag. 8 in 1886). I hope this isn't a foreshadowing of more activity there...

Charleston has always had a lot of activity, and some of it possibly are still aftershocks from the 1886 earthquake. Depending on the source, the August 31st, 1886, earthquake was the most severe earthquake to hit in this part of the world, ranging from magnitudes of 6.6 up to a 7.5 (dependant on what source that interprets it.) On the Intensity MM Scale [Modified Mercalli Scale= X (or 10)].

http://www.csuniv.edu/Academics/Quake/s ... earthquake

More information and links can be found on my website ...

http://www.stormsfury1.com/Earthquake.html

[Stormsfury]

We had a quake in Richmond VA recently...and now one in NC. Sounds like an omen for the east coast:(

Charleston, SC has had 21 quakes this year, which is a little bit above average...including the 3 that occurred on the 22nd. Generally only 1 or 2 are felt each year, and in fact, getting the low level seismic activity is a good thing, as it relieves the buildup in a relatively minor way. I would be much more afraid if the seismic suddenly shut off, especially for a long period of time (which could indicate a massive buildup).

Charleston could possibly be way overdue for another major seismic episode. Where it's happened one, would likely happen again, whether it be this year, next year, or 100 years from now. But it will happen again, the question is when.

SF