Using the Charleston, SC earthquake of 1886 to develop new models for estimating future earthquake damage

In 1886, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake occurred near Charleston, South Carolina. This earthquake produced extensive damage in the city and surrounding region. Because earthquake damage on the Charleston Peninsula is so well documented, there is an opportunity to use this information to develop better models of damage in future earthquakes. This project uses GIS and HAZUS to test the usefulness of new geological, geotechnical, and seismological data in describing actual building damage in 1886. A detailed catalog of building damage was mapped spatially in order to make comparisons to surface geology, elevation, fill depth, liquefaction susceptibility, soil type, and site amplitude within a small area at the southern tip of the Charleston Peninsula. Despite a large sample size of structures included in the area of interest, we do not have records for buildings in the most vulnerable regions of the study area. More information is needed to fill in the holes so that correlations can be resolved with confidence. Since the timing of an earthquake is unpredictable, preemptive preparations are needed so a city can best survive the earthquake. Therefore, the results of this study can be used to make city-planning recommendations and enhance community awareness programs so that Charleston can better prepare itself for the next large earthquake.