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Why Summerville, SC keeps having earthquakes

February 13, 2026
A seismograph displays recorded seismic waves on graph paper, showing red and green lines.

In February 2026, several small earthquakes occurred close together near Summerville, SC. A short cluster like that can feel unusual when you notice multiple rumbles in the same window, but it doesn’t mean the area suddenly became “more earthquake-prone” overnight1

February 2026 brought a tight cluster of small quakes near Summerville

As of Friday, February 13, 2026, U.S. Geological Survey information summarized in local reporting showed six earthquakes from February 3 through February 12 in the same general area near Summerville. The largest in this group measured magnitude 2.9 on Saturday, February 7.1

Here is the snapshot from that USGS-based reporting.

February 2026 Summerville-area earthquakes in this cluster

  • M 2.9 on February 7, about 5 miles south of Summerville.1
  • M 2.2 on February 3, about 3 miles south of Summerville.1
  • M 2.5 on February 11, about 4.3 miles south of Ladson and roughly 6 miles south of Summerville.1
  • M 1.6 on February 9, about 3.8 miles south of Ladson.1
  • M 1.6 on February 11, south of Centerville.1
  • M 1.8 on February 12, near Ladson and Summerville.1

One detail helps explain why several events can arrive in a short window. A College of Charleston seismologist told Live 5 News the February 9 earthquake registered as an aftershock of the February 7 magnitude 2.9 event.2

Summerville sits near a known seismic zone

Summerville lies near the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone, a recognized cluster of earthquakes in the South Carolina Coastal Plain. USGS research linked to peer-reviewed work notes about 68% of Coastal Plain earthquakes occur in this zone.3 South Carolina emergency management guidance reinforces the same big-picture point. The state records about 10 to 15 earthquakes per year, and about 70% of them occur in the Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone.4

The Summerville area sits close to a place where small earthquakes happen more often than many people expect on the East Coast.34

Why small earthquakes often feel noticeable here

People sometimes hear a boom, feel a quick jolt, or notice a brief shake even when magnitudes stay in the 1 to 3 range. On the East Coast, seismic waves often travel efficiently through older, denser rock, which spreads shaking across a wider area than a similar-sized event in the West.56

This effect can make a small Dorchester County event seem larger than the number suggests, especially at night when background noise drops.5

What this run of earthquakes does and does not mean

Earthquake forecasting does not work like weather forecasting. Scientists can describe long-term risk, but they cannot reliably say a larger earthquake will follow a small one next week or next month.2 The Charleston area also carries serious earthquake history. The USGS estimates the August 1886 Charleston earthquake at roughly magnitude 6.8 to 7.2, and reports major damage in Charleston.6

The practical takeaway is preparation, not panic, since earthquakes arrive without warning.47

What to do when the next Summerville-area earthquake hits

Many February 2026 events have been small. Injuries during smaller earthquakes often come from falls and moving items, not from the shaking itself. Simple actions reduce risk.7

During shaking

  • Drop to your hands and knees.
  • Cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk.
  • Hold on until the shaking stops.

The CDC describes “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” as the core protective move for most indoor situations. It also recommends staying away from windows and items likely to fall.7

Right after shaking stops

  • Pause and listen for hazards, including alarms, breaking glass, or hissing gas.
  • Expect aftershocks, especially after a larger quake.
  • Text family first when possible, since cell networks can clog during local events.
  • Check on neighbors who need extra help, including older adults.

Earthquakes here are usually best understood as a geology-and-faults story, not a sign that something suddenly changed. If you felt shaking in February 2026, it’s reasonable to pay attention. Just keep it in perspective, and rely on official updates for the specifics.

 

References

  1. Vawter, H. (2026, February 13). South Carolina records 6 small earthquakes in Charleston area since beginning of February. Fox Weather. https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/south-carolina-6-small-earthquakes-february
  2. Borchert, H. (2026, February 9). Third earthquake in week hits Dorchester County as expert explains pattern. Live 5 News. https://www.live5news.com/2026/02/09/third-earthquake-week-hits-dorchester-county-expert-explains-pattern/
  3. Shedlock, K. M. (1988). Seismicity in South Carolina. Seismological Research Letters, 59(4), 165–171. https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.59.4.165
  4. South Carolina Emergency Management Division. (n.d.). Earthquakes. Retrieved February 13, 2026, from https://scemd.org/prepare/types-of-disasters/earthquakes/
  5. U.S. Geological Survey. (2018, April 24). East vs West Coast earthquakes. https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/east-vs-west-coast-earthquakes
  6. U.S. Geological Survey. (n.d.). Why should people in the eastern United States be concerned about earthquakes? Retrieved February 13, 2026, from https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-should-people-eastern-united-states-be-concerned-about-earthquakes
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, February 16). Preparing for earthquakes. https://www.cdc.gov/earthquakes/safety/index.html