Earthquakes occur along South Carolina's Coastal Plane throughout the year. As a matter of fact, the Charleston area is in one of the most seismically active areas east of the Mississippi. Earthquakes happen suddenly and without warning. Although most of our earthquakes are minor, a major earthquake could happen anytime. If you feel the ground shaking, DROP onto your hands and knees, COVER your head and neck with one arm, and HOLD on until the shaking stops.