Puerto Rico vs South Carolina Earthquake Risk

Puerto Rico has a higher earthquake risk with a score of 7/10 (High) compared to South Carolina at 5/10 (Moderate). This means Puerto Rico faces more frequent and potentially more destructive seismic events.

Puerto Rico averages approximately 100 earthquakes per year, while South Carolina averages about 15 per year. Puerto Rico experiences roughly 85 more earthquakes annually.

Puerto Rico is associated with Puerto Rico Trench, Mona Passage. South Carolina is associated with Middleton Place-Summerville Seismic Zone. These fault systems determine the type and frequency of seismic activity each state experiences.

In Puerto Rico, approximately 95% of the population lives in areas at risk from earthquakes, compared to 20% in South Carolina. Puerto Rico has a larger percentage of residents exposed to seismic hazard.

Puerto Rico's most notable earthquake: 2020 Guayanilla (M6.4). South Carolina's most notable earthquake: 1886 Charleston (M7.3). These historical events illustrate the seismic potential of each state.