Charleston rocks from second quake in a week

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A small earthquake off the coast here shook doors and rattled windows but did no damage. <br> <br> The U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colo., reported the quake occurred at 6:39 p.m. Monday and had a preliminary magnitude of 4.2. Although it caused no damage, residents from the North Carolina border to Savannah, Ga., and as far inland as Columbia, said they felt the earth move.<br> <br> It was the second quake in the area in the past week. On Nov. 8, an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.5 was recorded 155 miles south-southeast of Charleston, according to the National Earthquake Information Center Web site. <br> <br> Last year, the South Carolina Seismic Network at the University of South Carolina reported 31 minor tremors near Charleston. <br> <br> The area has experienced about a dozen strong quakes since the big one in 1886, which was estimated at magnitude 7.7. In the span of about a minute, that historic earthquake caused 60 deaths, numerous injuries and an estimated $23 million worth of damages. <br> <br> Darcy Sudano, 16, felt it in her James Island home. ``Everything was shaking,&#39;&#39; she said. ``I could hear the kitchen shaking.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Clark Sherman, a geologist who heads Charleston Southern University&#39;s Earthquake Education Center, said a 4.2-magnitude quake approaches the point where serious damage can occur. <br> <br> But its distance from land and location on the continental shelf may have spared the Lowcountry from serious damages or a tidal wave. ``Damage at this point is apt to be on the order of small cracks or loose bricks,&#39;&#39; he said. <br> <br> The National Weather Service in Charleston said the quake was centered about 16 miles south-southeast of Seabrook Island. <br> <br> Seabrook resident Claire Allen said she had never felt an earthquake before so she wasn&#39;t sure what caused the quiver under her feet. ``We felt a minor motion,&#39;&#39; Allen said. <br> <br> Louisa Moore of Awendaw thought it was a tornado. She heard a noise like a freight train then the windows and doors began to shake. It was over in 10 seconds. <br> <br> ``For this house to shake - being as sturdy as it is - it was definitely momentous,&#39;&#39; she said.

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