Key keywords: South Carolina 2024 earthquake, uncommon seismic activity Upstate South Carolina, US Geological Survey quake report, low-seismic zone earthquake event, South Carolina emergency response, Appalachian fault line activity, Southeast US seismic hazard, Anderson South Carolina quake. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed on Wednesday morning that a 3.6-magnitude earthquake struck 7 miles northwest of Anderson, South Carolina, at 1:47 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located in a region that has recorded fewer than three seismic events above magnitude 2 in the past 50 years. Unlike the coastal Charleston region of South Carolina, which sits on a well-documented active seismic zone that saw the devastating 7.3-magnitude 1886 Charleston earthquake that killed over 100 people and destroyed thousands of buildings, the Upstate South Carolina area is largely considered low-risk for seismic activity, with most residents never receiving earthquake preparedness guidance from local authorities. Witnesses across Anderson, Pickens, and Greenville counties reported waking to sharp shaking that lasted 10 to 15 seconds, with many reporting hanging light fixtures swaying, kitchen cabinets rattling, small decor items falling off shelves, and in a small number of cases, minor cracks appearing in residential drywall. Local 911 dispatch centers reported receiving over 300 calls within the first hour after the quake, with most callers reporting no injuries but expressing confusion and alarm, as very few expected seismic activity in the area. As of press time, local emergency management officials have confirmed no reports of serious injuries or major structural damage, though teams are conducting spot checks of older public buildings including schools and churches to ensure no hidden safety risks exist. Seismologists with the USGS noted that the quake originated from a previously unmapped minor fault line connected to the ancient Appalachian Mountain formation, which has remained largely inactive for millions of years. They added that while aftershocks above magnitude 2 are unlikely, residents should remain alert for smaller tremors in the next 72 hours. Local authorities have also announced plans to roll out free earthquake preparedness resources across the Upstate region in the coming weeks, noting that seismic events in low-activity zones often catch communities off guard, and East Coast earthquakes tend to transmit shaking over far wider areas than West Coast events due to the denser, older crust beneath the region.