After a sonic boom rattled residents, South Carolina experienced two small earthquakes in the Upstate region on Friday evening, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Geological Survey.
Details of the Quakes
- First quake: 1.8 magnitude near Cross Anchor at 6:05 p.m., about 4 miles below the surface.
- Second quake: 1.9 magnitude in Spartanburg County at 6:22 p.m., approximately 1 mile underground.
These were the sixth and seventh confirmed earthquakes in South Carolina since May 8, 2026.
Seismic Activity Trends
Including Friday’s quakes, 24 earthquakes have been recorded in South Carolina this year. Of the past 16 quakes, 12 occurred near the Columbia area. Previous notable activity included a 2.0 magnitude offshore quake on March 13 and a 1.9 magnitude quake in McCormick on May 27.
Sonic Boom Reports
The day before the earthquakes, a sonic boom was reported at 5:24 p.m., felt by over 1,700 people in the Columbia area. The boom caused a brief shaking and sounded like an explosion. Sonic booms can occur from aircraft, meteorites, or other objects exceeding the speed of sound, though the source of this particular event remains unknown.
Historical Context
- 2025: 35 confirmed earthquakes
- 2024: 30 confirmed earthquakes
- 2023: 28 confirmed earthquakes
South Carolina continues to monitor seismic activity through the USGS and state DNR.
