A 2.2 magnitude earthquake just struck Charleston this morning in a rare seismic event under the Carolina Coastal tectonic plate.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake hit at 33.027°N 80.165°W, approximately 1 kilometer northeast of Summerville. It occurred at a depth of 5.3 kilometers.
The Lowcountry quake is part of a broader trend. Earthquakes have been increasing in frequency across the Carolinas, particularly near the Charlotte region. In 2020, Sparta, North Carolina, a 5.1 magnitude quake hit, and since then, dozens of aftershocks have continued to rattle both of the Carolinas.
The USGS states that while damaging earthquakes in the inland Carolinas occur every few decades, minor tremors are usually felt every year or two.
Officials have not reported any injuries or structural damage from the Summerville quake. However, seismologists continue monitoring the area for additional activity.
