Earthquake shakes South Carolina early Sunday

Source: Earthquake.usgs.gov / Earthquake.usgs.gov

A small earthquake rattled the northwestern part of South Carolina early Sunday morning.

The 1.6-magnitude quake had its epicenter in Pickens County, roughly one mile east of Lake Jocassee, near Cane Creek Road. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the tremor struck at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 9, at a depth of 1.9 kilometers.

While eleven people reported feeling the shake, no damage was reported. Those who experienced the tremor were spread across the region, including areas as distant as Spartanburg and Anderson.

This earthquake was the third to hit South Carolina in 2025. The first occurred on January 8, registering a magnitude of 1.9 near Jenkinsville, followed by a 2.0-magnitude quake on January 31 near Elgin.

In total, 30 earthquakes were recorded in South Carolina in 2024, with the strongest being a 2.7-magnitude event in Elgin.