KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. (WACH) – There have been nine earthquakes in the Midlands since Wednesday, making it the longest swarm in state history, according to experts.

Now, scientists are deploying portable seismometers to try to "figure it out".

But some people say the Haile OceanaGold Mine in Lancaster County is to blame.

“It kind of makes your heart pop a little bit because you don’t know it’s coming,” said Michelle Gregg.

Cracks in the driveway and dents in the floor from where an air vent cover fell can be seen between Gregg’s home and the home of her next-door neighbor, Kenya Anderson. Both ladies live in Elgin, and say the damage came after a series of earthquakes in the area.

“It takes your heart away. Especially when you’re sound asleep at night, and at rest, and then you have a 3.4 and even the 2.0s are scary,” said Anderson.

We reached out to officials at the Haile OceanaGold Mine to ask them if mining could be causing the tremors.

The company’s external affairs and social performance manager says that’s not so.

He says the Haile Gold Mine has existed for more than 200 years.

And that their modern-day operation is “heavily regulated and monitored by both state and federal agencies". Also, that, “there is no evidence to suggest our work is causing earthquakes nearly 40 miles from our site.”

Scott White, who is the director of the SC Seismic Network attributes the rise in booms to an earthquake swarm, similar to those seen in states like California, and others on the west coast.

“What we do have here is the Eastern Piedmont fault system that just seems to have activated after centuries maybe, with a buildup of stress in the earth’s crust,” said White.

The activity is so frightening, some of the Elgin residents say they’re now considering finding somewhere else to live.

“I don’t want to have to wake up every day, all day long, all night long, wondering when the next quake is going to shatter anything,” Gregg also said.