1886 Charleston earthquake facts for kids

This shows damage on Tradd Street after the 1886 earthquake.

This is an "earthquake bolt" used to make buildings stronger in Charleston.

The 1886 Charleston earthquake happened on August 31, 1886, around 9:50 pm. It was a very strong earthquake. Scientists think its strength was between 6.9 and 7.3 on the moment magnitude scale. This big quake caused about 60 people to die. It also damaged many buildings. The cost of the damage was between five and six million dollars. More than 2,000 buildings were affected in the Southeastern United States. At that time, about 49,000 people lived in Charleston, South Carolina.

Before this earthquake, there had been almost no earthquakes in the Charleston area. This is quite unusual for such a strong quake. Even today, in 2020, scientists are still studying why this earthquake happened.

How Far Was the Earthquake Felt?

The shaking from the Charleston earthquake was felt very far away. People felt it as far north as Boston, Massachusetts. It was also felt in cities like Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To the west, people in New Orleans, Louisiana, felt it. Even as far south as Cuba, people noticed the ground shaking.

Damage in Charleston

Almost every building in Charleston was damaged by the earthquake. Many buildings were so badly damaged that they had to be taken down. After that, new buildings were built in their place.

What Are Earthquake Bolts?

After the earthquake, people started adding special "earthquake bolts" to buildings. These bolts are also called anchor plates. They were used on buildings made of brick or stone that didn't have extra support. The bolts helped make the buildings stronger. This meant they didn't have to tear down the whole building. The bolts go through the walls. They connect the walls on opposite sides of a building. This helps to hold the building together and make it more stable.

Images for kids

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  Charleston, SC Earthquake - 1886