C of C hosts earthquake events

No major storms have hit the Lowcountry this year, and many believe that if they can just get to the end of hurricane season on Nov. 30, everything will be OK.

However, don't let your guard down yet.

Earthquakes, which could be catastrophic for downtown Charleston as well as the rest of the area, don't pay attention to seasons. For that reason, local and state officials are planning several activities to raise awareness.

Gov. Mark Sanford has declared Nov. 4-10 as Earthquake Awareness Week in South Carolina.

The College of Charleston will host events this week to educate the public about earthquake history and how to prepare for one.

"Many times when we try to organize things for earthquake awareness, hurricanes tend to interrupt it," said Norman Levine, an assistant professor in the college's geology department.

Even though the college has had guest speakers talk about earthquakes in the past, the geology department decided this year to expand the activities.

Self-guided tours of 1886 Earthquake Walks that spotlight earthquake damage on various buildings downtown are available. Maps are available at the Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St.

On the tour, people can learn why brick and masonry buildings sustained more damage in the 1886 earthquake than wood structures, and how liquefaction is responsible for many leaning tombstones. Liquefaction is when the ground becomes soft because of ground shaking, so the sand behaves as a liquid.

"Everyone Loves a Good Rumble!" a workshop that offers education credits upon completion, will be held Saturday. See box for details.

South Carolina is not as well-known as California for earthquakes, but the state actually experiences between two to five small temblors a year, according to Steve Jaume, an associate geology professor at the college.

A small quake that occurs in the Lowcountry actually is felt more than a smaller quake that happens in California because the ground here is softer, which amplifies the waves, said Dr. Erin Beutel, an associate professor of geology at the college.

Charleston is best known for the 1886 earthquake, which would have registered an estimated magnitude of between 6.9 and 7.3 on the Richter scale.

Levine and some of his colleagues in the geology department have partnered with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division to create the South Carolina Earthquake Education and Preparedness Program. They are consultants for the organization, which examines earthquake hazards statewide.

"I will get these calls (from division employees) in the middle of the night to make sure certain things are not earthquakes," Jaume said.

In addition to educating people about preparations for an earthquake, the geology professors on the board of the earthquake education program try to prepare them for what can happen during and after a quake.

"If a major quake happened, chances are you'd be on your own for 72 hours," Beutel said. "Emergency vehicles couldn't probably get out there to help people right away."

She recommends stocking essential supplies to last at least three days.

Jaume said there is geologic evidence of quake activity in this area dating back several thousands of years. "You can kind of gauge how often they happen," he said.

Does that mean he can forewarn about the next big one?

"I'm not predicting anything," he said.

Reach Sophia Rodriguez at 937-5538 or srodriguez@postandcourier.com.