THE ISSUE: Earthquake Awareness Week
OUR OPINION: Stories from quake of 1886 reinforce possibilities
South Carolinians are accustomed to getting warnings about hurricane preparedness. Not nearly so much so for earthquakes.
The ground wasn’t shaking, but emergency officials on Wednesday were busy being certain South Carolina will be ready if it does.
An earthquake drill was held as part of South Carolina Earthquake Awareness Week. Emergency Management Division officials say it’s a test for alert systems and gives participants a chance to check their safety plans and emergency supplies.
The last earthquake reported in South Carolina was a 2.4 magnitude quake that shook parts of Richland County in May 2007.
The most devastating quake on record for South Carolina was a magnitude 7.3 that rumbled near Charleston in August 1886. That earthquake killed more than 100 people and destroyed about $5 million worth of property — worth $103 million when adjusted for inflation.
In 1999, retired T&D Publisher Dean B. Livingston wrote about what is recorded locally about that “unscheduled” occurrence that had a lot of people singing “Nearer My God To Thee.”
“The area was pounded for a week by quake shocks from four to 12 times a day. The Times and Democrat wrote of the earth’s rumblings: ‘This earthquake frightened many of the inhabitants into deep religious complex, such as was never known before, bringing about a great religious revival in the churches. ...’
“One person wrote that ‘many thought the end of the world had come.’ Some terror-stricken citizens in Rowesville ‘ran to and fro exclaiming: ‘The great Judgment Day is at hand. Lord have mercy on me’.’ A T&D article noted that ‘many people prayed during the past two weeks who never prayed before.’ “A Sawyerdale citizen reported that ‘the flood of accessions to our various churches is almost unparalleled.’
“Residents of the city of Orangeburg were awakened when the first jolt hit. People in brick homes could hear the bricks ‘grinding together as the forces of the shocks increased.’ Many people complained of a nauseous sensation. Chimneys were shaken down, the Baptist church steeple was damaged and for several nights many families slept in the open, under sheds or in small buildings.
“As late as Oct. 14, The T&D reported that ‘shocks have become so common now that people soon throw off the peculiar feeling that they inspire, and go along as if nothing unusual had occurred. There is no telling when they (shocks) will end.’
“From Rowesville came this account: ‘About 9:50 p.m., a tremendous rumbling, roaring sound was heard ... which gradually grew nearer and nearer til all of a sudden a most violent earthquake was experienced. ... Houses reeled and tottered ... tops of chimneys were broken off. ... In the forest could be heard the tumbling of huge trees sounding like heavy artillery at a great distance.’
“Over in Vance, the quake was described as a ‘sound, a deep, muffled sound ... resembling the distant thunder ... the earth was one tremendous oscillation. Buildings creaked ... poultry squawked, dogs howled, birds chirped; in fact, everything was completely aroused and powerfully demoralized ... from 10 to 11 p.m., nine successive shocks were felt.’
“Two Orangeburg men were fishing on the Edisto River when the first big shock hit. They said the first noise sounded like a loud clap of thunder. ‘This was followed by the usual rumbling which was also very loud and deep. The course of the shake was distinctly marked by the falling of the berries and acorns from the trees as it passed.”
While they have no stories comparable to 1886, people of The T&D Region periodically experience tremors. With a large fault in the earth extending from Charleston into the region, when another major quake will come is unpredictable -- but practically certain. In a hurricane state, being prepared for a quake is no less important.