Second small earthquake in three days rattles Irmo area; another tremor follows Monday
Irmo, S. C. — Residents in and around Irmo felt repeated shaking over the weekend and into Monday as the U. S. Geological Survey recorded multiple small earthquakes near the community. The latest events continue a cluster of low-magnitude tremors that began Friday night.
Timeline: three small quakes in quick succession
The sequence began with a magnitude 2. 8 earthquake late Friday night, centered near the Irmo area. In the early hours of Sunday, the U. S. Geological Survey detected a magnitude 2. 0 quake roughly three miles west of Irmo at around midnight ET late Sunday. Then on Monday evening a separate event measuring magnitude 1. 8 was recorded at 6: 44 p. m. ET, with an epicenter about 3. 1 miles west-southwest of Irmo.
Nearby communities include Seven Oaks, Lexington, Saint Andrews and parts of Columbia, where some residents reported feeling light shaking. No injuries or structural damage have been confirmed following these low-magnitude events.
What this cluster means and what residents should know
Small quakes in the magnitude 1. 0–3. 0 range are common and are frequently felt only locally. Earthquakes of this size rarely cause damage to buildings but can be noticeable to people indoors, especially near the epicenter. When multiple small quakes occur in close temporal and geographic proximity, they can reflect local fault adjustments or minor seismic swarms rather than a single large event.
Local authorities and emergency management officials typically advise residents to use these occurrences as a reminder to review household preparedness: secure heavy furniture, know where utility shutoffs are located, and have a basic emergency kit on hand. If residents feel shaking that causes concern, they are encouraged to check on neighbors and report any damage to local emergency services.
Monitoring and what to watch for next
Seismic monitoring agencies continue to track activity in the area and will refine locations and magnitudes as additional data arrive. Most small aftershocks or swarm events diminish over time, though additional small shocks are possible in the hours and days following an initial event. Significant increases in magnitude or a sustained sequence of stronger quakes would prompt broader public guidance.
For now, the pattern near Irmo remains in the low-magnitude range and poses little risk of structural harm. Residents seeking the latest seismic updates can monitor official seismic bulletins and local emergency communications for any changes in activity or safety advisories.
