South Carolina’s Charleston area produced the powerful 1886 earthquake and remains the Southeast’s most notable seismic zone. This page pulls real records for South Carolina: the largest earthquakes on record from USGS, how often the ground shakes nearby, tsunamis from the NOAA database, and volcanoes from the Smithsonian program. Nothing is guessed.
A quiet recent record is good news, but many damaging earthquakes strike places that were quiet for decades. The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for South Carolina.
Check South Carolina hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in South Carolina - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in South Carolina - FAQ
Is South Carolina at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 10 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in South Carolina?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to South Carolina in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does South Carolina get tsunamis?
Yes - 1 tsunami since 1886 (most recently 1886) within 300 km, from the NOAA database.
How do I get earthquake warnings in South Carolina?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.