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N0KFQ > TODAY 31.08.16 15:50l 37 Lines 1659 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 6138_N0KFQ
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Aug 31
Path: IW8PGT<CX2SA<N0KFQ
Sent: 160831/1440Z 6138@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ6.0.12
1886
Earthquake shakes Charleston, South Carolina
An earthquake near Charleston, South Carolina, on this day in
1886 leaves more than 100 people dead and hundreds of buildings
destroyed. This was the largest recorded earthquake in the
history of the southeastern United States.
The earthquake was preceded by foreshocks felt in Summerville,
South Carolina, on August 27 and 28 but, still, no one was
prepared for the strength of the August 31 quake. At 9:51 p.m.,
the rumbling began, and it was felt as far away as Boston,
Chicago and Cuba. There was damage to buildings as far away as
Ohio and Alabama. It was Charleston, South Carolina, though, that
took the biggest hit from the quake, which is thought to have had
a magnitude of about 7.6. Almost all of the buildings in town
were seriously damaged. It is estimated that 14,000 chimneys fell
from the earthquake. It caused multiple fires and water lines and
wells were ruptured. The total damage was in excess of $5.5
million (about $112 million in today's money).
While there were no apparent surface cracks as a result of this
tremor, railroad tracks were bent in all directions in some
locations. Acres of land were liquefied. This quake remained a
mystery for many years since there were no known underground
faults for 60 miles in any direction. However, better science and
detection methods have recently uncovered a concealed fault along
the coastal plains of Virginia and the Carolinas. Still, a quake
of this magnitude remains highly unlikely in this location.
73 - K.O., n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
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