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South Carolina earthquake – Magnitude 3.1 quake leaves ‘whole houses shaking’ as tremors felt in Columbia
A 3.1 magnitude earthquake has rocked parts of South Carolina, according to reports.
Locals said the shockwaves shook their homes as the quake hit just after 1:30am local time on Monday.
USGSA 3.1 magnitude earthquake has rocked parts of South Carolina as tremors were felt in Columbia[/caption]
The earthquake occurred around 3.6 miles east of Elgin and 21 miles northeast of Columbia, according to seismologists at the US Geological Survey.
Locals took to Twitter to say they could feel the shockwaves.
One claimed their entire home was rattling.
Another posted: “Heard it before I felt it… whew. Now to try that sleep thing again.”
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A third person said: “Save the aftershocks for later. I got work in the morning.”
The quake was felt at Columbia Metro Airport and the University of South Carolina.
No damage to buildings or injuries have been reported.
South Carolina isn’t known for earthquakes but between 10-20 are recorded each year on average.
Earthquakes usually take place on plate boundaries but tremors in South Carolina are located within a plate.
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Seismologists say that most of the earthquakes to hit the state occur west and north of Charleston, WMBF reports.
In April, a 4.6 magnitude quake rocked Mexico’s Pacific coast, sending sharp jolts through southern California.
Tremors were felt in San Diego after the quake struck the coastal city of Ensenada.
Residents felt the tremors in La Mesa, Spring Valley, and Pacific Beach.
Reports of shaking were also experienced in southern Orange County.
US Geological Survey geologist Tom Rockwell told The San Diego Union-Tribune: “It was a sharp, very quick jolt that was widely felt in San Diego.”
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The temblor came almost 12 years after a 7.2 earthquake rocked Baja California on Easter Sunday in 2010.
And, in March, a 5.2 magnitude quake struck near an oil refinery in Anchorage, Alaska.
More to follow…
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