Elgin, South Carolina — A rare earthquake was recorded Tuesday morning just east of Elgin, shaking parts of the Midlands region east of Columbia.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 2.7 earthquake struck at 6:33 a.m. EST, centered approximately 5 kilometers east of Elgin in Kershaw County, just north of Interstate 20. The quake originated at a shallow depth of about 4 kilometers, a factor that can make even small earthquakes more noticeable at the surface.
The epicenter was located roughly 20 miles east of downtown Columbia, placing it within a region that does not frequently experience seismic activity. Initial data classified the event as reviewed, indicating confirmation by seismologists.
More than a dozen “Did You Feel It?” reports were submitted to the USGS from nearby communities, suggesting the shaking was light but noticeable, particularly indoors. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
While South Carolina is not commonly associated with earthquakes, the state does experience occasional low-magnitude seismic events, especially in the Midlands and coastal plain. Most quakes of this size are not damaging and often go unnoticed without instrumentation.
Emergency officials have not issued any alerts related to the quake, and no aftershocks have been confirmed as of Tuesday afternoon.
Residents who felt shaking are encouraged to submit reports to the USGS to help scientists better understand seismic activity in the Southeast.
Minor earthquakes like this are uncommon but not unprecedented in central South Carolina, drawing attention due to their rarity rather than their strength.
