A so-called earthquake “swarm” that is hitting South Carolina appears to be getting stronger, researchers said this week.
Two earthquakes that have a magnitude of 3.5 and 3.6, respectively, hit Wednesday close to Elgin, South Carolina, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Days before that, a 3.4 magnitude earthquake struck in another part of the state, while a 3.9 magnitude earthquake struck near the Georgia-South Carolina state line on June 18.
Both of Wednesday’s earthquakes were the strongest to hit South Carolina since a 4.1 magnitude quake struck McCormick County in 2014.
Geologist Wendy Bohon said in a video released by the state’s Emergency Management Division that they’re part of about 30 quakes that have struck the state so far in 2022, which they suggested is an unusual phenomenon. She described it as an “earthquake swarm,” which are common in places like Southern California….