EARTHQUAKE STRIKES AUGUSTA REGION

By Torleif Sorenson on 2/15/14

It's as if a Hollywood screenwriter was trying to dream up some mild nightmare scenario, but it's true: At 10:23 p.m. EST Friday evening, a Mw 4.1 earthquake struck the Augusta region, just days after they were plastered by a major winter storm.

The earthquake was centered 12 km WNW (7.45 miles) of Edgefield, South Carolina, roughly 25 miles north of Augusta National Golf Club, at a depth of 4.9 km (3.0 miles). It was felt as far away as Atlanta to the west and Charlotte to the north. The National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina confirmed that it was the second-strongest earthquake to hit South Carolina since 1950. They also have a civil emergency in effect until further notice.

The Augusta Chronicle quoted Edgefield resident Sandy Quarles as saying, "We were asleep before we heard what sounded like a loud explosion. All the windows started to shake and we thought that old oak tree had fallen over. I've never felt anything like that before."

CBS affiliate WRDW-TV in Augusta tweeted this picture of water leaking from an Augusta water tower, sparking fears of significant damage...

We're hearing reports of damage to the water tower on Washington Road. Please avoid the area. Photo's from a viewer. pic.twitter.com/aQ9EXqEGHO

— WRDW-TV News 12 (@WRDW) February 15, 2014

...but in a fast, intrepid bit of investigative reporting, their news anchor Meredith Anderson was able to sooth fears:

National Hills water tower leak was "scheduled release," not due to earthquake. #JustACrazyCoincidence

— Meredith Anderson (@MeredithWRDW) February 15, 2014

Many tree limbs and power lines remain down in the Augusta area, and while minimal damage has been reported from the earthquake, this is certainly the last thing they need, with just over 50 days until the 78th Masters Tournament tees off on April 10.


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Image via United States Geological Survey