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Science 25 January 1985:
Vol. 227. no. 4685, pp. 408 - 411
DOI: 10.1126/science.227.4685.408
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Articles

Geologic Evidence for Recurrent Moderate to Large Earthquakes Near Charleston, South Carolina

STEPHEN F. OBERMEIER 1, GREGORY S. GOHN 1, ROBERT E. WEEMS 1, ROBERT L. GELINAS 1, and MEYER RUBIN 1

1 U.S. Geological Survey, 926 National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092

Multiple generations of earthquake-induced sand blows in Quaternary sediments and soils near Charleston, South Carolina, are evidence of recurrent moderate to large earthquakes in that area. The large 1886 earthquake, the only historic earthquake known to have produced sand blows at Charleston, probably caused the youngest observed blows. Older (late Quaternary) sand blows in the Charleston area indicate at least two prehistoric earthquakes with shaking severities comparable to the 1886 event.

Submitted on August 7, 1984
Accepted on November 1, 1984


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