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SMALL EARTHQUAKE RATTLES NORTHEASTERN OHIO COLUMBUS, OH - A 3.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded beneath Lake
Erie, offshore from Lake County on June 30 at 3:21 p.m., according to the
Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The small earthquake was felt
throughout Lake, Ashtabula and Geauga counties.
"There were no reports of injuries or damage, which would not be
expected from an earthquake of this size," said Dr. Michael Hansen,
coordinator of ODNR's Ohio Seismic Network.
Individuals who experienced the earthquake are encouraged to fill
out a short form describing what they felt. The form can be accessed through
the Ohio Seismic Network Web site at ohiodnr.com/OhioSeis.
The information will help state geologists determine the intensity
of the earthquake at various locations.
The general location of Monday's event was near the epicenters of
small earthquakes in 1983, 1988, and two in 1992. The largest was a 3.4
magnitude earthquake in 1992. No damage was reported from any of these
earlier earthquakes.
The largest earthquake recorded in northeastern Ohio was on January
31, 1986 and had a magnitude of 5.0. It was centered in southern Lake
County. This earthquake was felt in several states and caused minor to
moderate damage in the epicenter area.
The Ohio Seismic Network consists of 23 station seismograph stations
operated by volunteers at colleges, universities and other educational
institutions across the state. The network is coordinated by ODNR's Division
of Geological Survey and is partially funded by the Ohio Emergency
Management Agency. The Ohio Earthquake Information Center at Alum Creek
State Park, near Delaware, is the headquarters for the Ohio Seismic Network. Ohio has experienced more than 175 felt earthquakes since 1776.
Fifteen of the earthquakes have caused damage. The largest event was on
March 9, 1937 and had a magnitude of 5.5. It was centered in the
Shelby-Auglaize County area and caused considerable damage in the village of
Anna. Most Ohio earthquakes have been centered in western Ohio or in
northeastern Ohio.
Source: ODNR
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