Warning: This page is no longer maintained and is preserved for historical purposes.
In 1996 there was a marked increase in the seismicity near Monticello Reservoir, continued low level seismicity in the Middleton Place Summerville Seismic Zone (MPSSZ) and near Lakes Jocassee and keowee. The sharp increase in seismicity at Monticello started in the middle of December and continued for the rest of the year. However, the four largest earthquakes occurred outside the MPSSZ and areas of reservoir related seismicity. On September 18, 1996, three earthquakes were felt near Edgefield (M 2.5, 2.2, and 2.3) to be followed four days later, on September 22, 1996, by a felt earthquake (M 2.1) in lower Richland County. The largest event near the reservoirs occurred near Lake Keowee (M 2.1 on August 27, 1996). All earthquakes in the MPSSZ were small (M less than 1.0).
Monticello Reservoir | Lakes Jocassee and Keowee | Charleston