U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for August 31

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31: EARLY U.S. EARTHQUAKE

Profile America — Wednesday, August 31st.  To most people, the word "earthquake" makes them think of California.  On the other hand, Charleston, South Carolina conjures up visions of the Old South, with magnolia trees and stately mansions.  But Charleston was the site of the first recorded earthquake in the Eastern U.S., on this date in 1886.  Even now, the quake is considered among the most powerful to hit the nation, estimated at 7.5 on the Richter scale, and felt 800 miles away.  Two shocks, eight minutes apart in the early morning, killed about 60 people.  From 2000 to 2009, there were more than 21,000 earthquakes in the U.S., most of them minor.  However, there were six in the range of 7.0 to 7.9 on the Richter scale.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2011, 433

South Carolina Earthquakes, www.dnr.sc.gov/geology/earthquake.htm

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 1131

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).  

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau