3.4 Earthquake Recorded in Cleveland

[Miss Mary]

I wasn't aware of the "Akron Magnetic Boundary" until this earthquake/article. To those that follow earthquakes, I thought this article might be interesting to you.

Mary

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http://www.wcpo.com/news/2006/local/06/ ... quake.html

3.4 Earthquake Recorded In Cleveland

Reported by: A.P.
Web produced by: Neil Relyea
Photographed by: 9News
First posted: 6/20/2006 10:11:02 PM
NORTH PERRY, Ohio (AP) -- A small earthquake that was felt along the Lake Erie coast hit near Cleveland on Tuesday afternoon but caused no damage.

The quake was recorded at 4:11 p.m. about three miles into Lake Erie near North Perry, about 40 miles east of Cleveland.

Preliminary data show it registered a magnitude of 3.4, said Michael Hansen, coordinator of the Ohio Seismic Network, a division of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources that tracks earthquakes.

Reports of the ground shaking came from as far west as Westlake and as far east as Madison, Hansen said.

"It caused a lot of excitement with people," he said. Hansen said researchers are particularly intrigued because it was the 10th and largest quake in northern Ohio this year.

The second-biggest was a 3.0 magnitude March 11, 2006, also beneath the lake.

"This is a fairly good amount, more than usual. What that means exactly I don't know. I don't think anybody can make much of a prediction on that," Hansen said.

Scientists say Ohio's earthquakes are linked to an ancient scar six-thousand feet deep that is known as the Akron Magnetic Boundary.

The fault runs diagonally through Summit County and into Geauga, Lake and Ashtabula counties and was formed when North America tried unsuccessfully to split a billion years ago.

When the Earth shifts the fault sometimes shifts, causing an earthquake.

Ohio's largest earthquake registered 5.4 in 1937 in Shelby County, a rural area between Toledo and Dayton.

The quake toppled chimneys, gravestones and a school in the town of Anna.

Hansen asked people who felt Tuesday's earthquake to report their experience on the network's Web site at

[Janice]

Wow, that is a great story. I guess there could be a quake anywhere.

[Miss Mary]

Cincinnati has had earthquakes before also. Ours are a result of the New Madrid Fault that is very close to St. Louis I believe. Don't quote me on that but I think that's correct. When I saw the Cleveland earthquake link, I just assumed it was from the same fault line but apparently not.

The interesting part of the article was this sentence:
"The fault runs diagonally through Summit County and into Geauga, Lake and Ashtabula counties and was formed when North America tried unsuccessfully to split a billion years ago."

You always hear about the threat of a catastrophic earthquake causing California to split from the mainland but I was shocked to read that sentence. That's a little too close to home (4 hours away)! At least they're not having strong earthquakes up there!!!

[Tampa_God]

Wow, a earthquake in Ohio, would have never thought about that. Well,many areas can have an earthquake. NYC, St. Louis, LA and anywhere near any faults in the US. Florida is probably the only area that doesn't recieve many earthquakes. I believe Florida has only been jolted 2 times. There was one time, like 4-6 months ago that people were calling new stations saying that they felt an earthquake, not the ground shake, but a earthquake, but the military said that 2 of their jets were coming into MacDill from the Gulf and caused a sonic boom that cause the ground to shake.

[JonathanBelles]

Wow, a earthquake in Ohio, would have never thought about that. Well,many areas can have an earthquake. NYC, St. Louis, LA and anywhere near any faults in the US. Florida is probably the only area that doesn't recieve many earthquakes. I believe Florida has only been jolted 2 times. There was one time, like 4-6 months ago that people were calling new stations saying that they felt an earthquake, not the ground shake, but a earthquake, but the military said that 2 of their jets were coming into MacDill from the Gulf and caused a sonic boom that cause the ground to shake.

i remember that... i was sleeping and it scared the living crap outta me...though i though it was a straightline gust or downburst until dennis philips from action news 11 came on and explained it

[Skywatch_NC]

Hi Mary,

I remember a minor quake that rattled Cincy and was even felt in Hamilton, OH where I lived at the time (in the next county north of there) during the late 1970s.

Eric

[coriolis]

I hope there's no tsunami in lake Erie.

[GalvestonDuck]

Yup, that New Madrid fault has been fairly active, considering most think of California when they think of earthquakes. Three of the top ten quakes have occured at the New Madrid seismic area.

Eric, there was also one in July of 1980, centered in northeastern KY. I remember feeling that one. Been to CA a number of times and never even felt a tremor.

[Miss Mary]

I was traveling in a car when the 1980 one occurred. Without A/C and it was summer, of course. We thought it was just a car backfiring or rough pavement. Not an earthquake. It must have been pretty strong b/c people talked about it for years. And I missed it!

[Brent]

I've heard of a few quakes in that NE part of Ohio before, around Ashtabula. I don't think it's capable of producing a major quake, but it is interesting.

[Vandora]

I remember a very small quake in Cincinnati when I was around 10 or so. Woke me up. Thought it was pretty neat. But I don't know how small it was, just that it was small. Wish I could remember the exact year.

Cincinnati has had earthquakes before also. Ours are a result of the New Madrid Fault that is very close to St. Louis I believe. Don't quote me on that but I think that's correct.

Thanks for that info, I never knew that (and I call myself a Cincinnati native!)

[Miss Mary]

I remember a very small quake in Cincinnati when I was around 10 or so. Woke me up. Thought it was pretty neat. But I don't know how small it was, just that it was small. Wish I could remember the exact year.

Cincinnati has had earthquakes before also. Ours are a result of the New Madrid Fault that is very close to St. Louis I believe. Don't quote me on that but I think that's correct.

Thanks for that info, I never knew that (and I call myself a Cincinnati native!)

Well, it's a small world indeed! Don't believe I've met you before until now, but hello Vandora! We've had quite a few earthquakes since the 1980 one. I'm sure you're right and there's probably documentation for all of these. I'll do a search when I have time. BTW, my family and I were on vacation near Clearwater last week. As we drove thru and browsed the shops/restaurants, we were pleasantly surprised to see a Skyline Chili! You might even have one on your side of Florida? My daughter said - dang, I wish I had my Skyline Tshirt packed......she would have worn it and ordered lunch she said. LOL

Mary

[Vandora]

Mary,

Nice to meet you!

I've been in Florida for 4 years and I never knew there were Skylines here! I took a look at their website and sure enough, there's also locations in Naples, Ft. Myers and, best for me, even Ft. Lauderdale! Wow! I guess a lot of the transplants to Florida (retirees, most often) missed their Skyline. Thanks for THAT info even more.

(By the way... born & bred in Cincinnati, and lived there until 2001. Moved here, but going to be moving back home as soon as possible (in the next year, hopefully). My home is very much where my heart is... Cincinnati!)

Everyone else,

Sorry for the extreme off-topic-ness. Carry on.

[Miss Mary]

Vandora - if I moved away, I would miss Cincinnati. I've lived here my entire life. It's just - home. Been a Westsider and an Eastsider. You will know what I'm talking about. Which is better - oh there's something so deeply rooted over on that West Side but when I go back, I actually tear up and I still live in Cincy! LOL

After talking about Skyline, I thought I had heard that Graeters was branching out to other states. Guess not, according to their website but in case you don't know, you can order their ice cream online too. Very pricey but if you're missing Cincy something awful, that may help too - along with a 3-way.
http://www.graeters.com/new_store.cfm

Back to topic.
Mary