The earthquake could be felt so far away from its epicenter because the waves created by the ground’s movement travel more easily through the different type tectonic plates along the East Coast, said Erin Beutel, associate professor of geology with the College of Charleston.
“What I’ve hearing from people is, ‘What was that thing moving under my bed?’ kind of reaction,” said Beutel, who works with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, monitoring earthquakes and educating the public.