The South Carolina Earthquake Education and Preparedness program at the College of Charleston is staffed with research scientists, educators, and outreach personnel in an attempt to bridge the gaps between earthquake research, emergency management, and the general public. As such, the SCEEP team has created a series of communication avenues through which scientific information can be relayed to the various communities.   The research scientists involved with SCEEP work with the education and outreach coordinator to help form a cohesive stream of information that can be distributed to emergency management personnel-- both public and private-- as well as to the general public.

Summerville, SC was the epicenter of the largest earthquake on the east coast in recorded history. On August 31st 1886, an ~7.0 earthquake shook the region at 9:50 pm.  Often known as the Charleston earthquake because of the larger concentration of people in Charleston, the earthquake was actually centered in the Summerville area.   At least 76 people died in the Charleston area (this estimate is likely to be low) and 2,000 buildings were damaged.  The damage was estimated to be a quarter of the worth of the all the buildings in the area at the time.   Damage was reported as far away as Alabama and Ohio and the earthquake was felt at distances as far away as   Milwaukee, WI, Cuba, and Bermuda.   Summerville continues to be the focus of small to moderate earthquakes. 

A Google Earth KMZ file containing all recorded earthquakes in South Carolina can be downloaded by clicking here.

A SHAKEOUT earthquake drill fact sheet can be downloaded by clicking here.