COLUMBUS – A 3.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded beneath Lake Erie, offshore from Lake County June 30 at 3:21 p.m., according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
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 Michael Hansen, coordinator of ODNR’s Ohio Seismic Network.
Description. 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 site at www.ohiodnr.com/OhioSeis.
The information will help state geologists determine the intensity of the earthquake at various locations.
Other quakes. The general location of the 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 Jan. 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.
Earthquake tally. 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.
