Horry County Earthquake Risks Highlighted

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A 1.9 magnitude earthquake hit South Carolina on Sunday night, the 10th quake recorded in the state so far this year. Horry County officials have confirmed the presence of a major fault line along the county's western border and warn that the area's soil composition, with generally poor drainage and high liquefaction potential, could lead to significant impacts from earthquakes originating in surrounding regions like Charleston.

Why it matters

While Horry County has not experienced a major earthquake in recent history, the presence of a fault line and the region's soil conditions mean the area is at risk for potentially damaging seismic activity. This highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and understanding the unique geological factors that could amplify the effects of an earthquake in the region.

The details

Horry County has an earthquake annex and emergency plans in place, but officials say the area's soil composition of clay, loam, and sand with poor drainage contributes to a higher liquefaction factor. This means earthquakes originating elsewhere, such as the Charleston fault line that produced the largest historic quake in eastern North America in 1886, could have significant impacts on Horry County despite its distance from the epicenter.

• On Sunday night, a 1.9 magnitude earthquake hit South Carolina.
• So far in 2026, there have been 10 earthquakes recorded in South Carolina.