Importance Score: 52 / 100 🔵
A 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck near the capital of Ohio, raising concerns about seismic activity in the region. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the tremor occurred 77 miles east of Columbus at 3:14 p.m. ET. This event highlights the geological factors and potential human influences contributing to earthquakes in Ohio.
Seismic Event Details
The region’s location above an ancient fault line, a zone of pre-existing weakness in the Earth’s crust, makes it more susceptible to seismic events. Tectonic stress can reactivate these fault lines.
- The USGS indicated that the shaking intensity ranged from ‘weak’ to ‘light’ around the epicenter in Cambridge.
- Another earthquake, also with a 3.1 magnitude, occurred in the same vicinity on Tuesday.
Earthquake Magnitude and Impact
Michigan Tech University’s assessment suggests that earthquakes below magnitude 2.5 are typically not felt. Events ranging from 2.5 to 5.4 in magnitude are often felt and may cause minor damage. Thus far, no injuries or damages have been reported following Thursday’s seismic activity.
A 3.1 magnitude earthquake has struck outside of Columbus, Ohio. The US Geological Survey (USGS) pinpointed the tremor 77 miles east of Columbus.
Geological Context: The Burning Springs-Cambridge Fault Zone
The fault line near Cambridge is identified as the Burning Springs-Cambridge fault zone, formed over 4.6 million years ago. This substantial geological feature stretches approximately 31 miles from West Virginia into eastern Ohio.
- The USGS data indicates Thursday’s quake originated at a shallow depth of two miles.
- Shallower earthquakes tend to produce more significant surface damage.
- The April 22 earthquake of similar magnitude was centered about 1.2 miles southeast of Pleasant City in Noble County, at a depth of three miles.
Fracking and Seismic Activity
While the recent earthquakes are located near an ancient fault line, the practice of fracking in Ohio may also contribute to seismic activity. Fracking involves injecting high-pressure fluids deep underground to extract natural gas and oil. This process has been linked to increased earthquake frequency in some regions.
A separate seismic event with a magnitude of 3.1 occurred in the same region on Tuesday.
Enhanced technology has facilitated access to substantial natural gas reserves. However, concerns remain regarding potential groundwater contamination and the triggering of earthquakes.
Links to Other States
Texas, another state with significant fracking operations, has also seen an increase in seismic activity. A 2022 study from the University of Texas at Austin found that 68 percent of Texas earthquakes above magnitude 1.5 were highly associated with oil and gas production.
- Dr. Alexandros Savvaidis indicated that increased drilling could lead to greater seismic activity.
- He noted that deep injection wells, in particular, are linked to higher-magnitude earthquakes, while shallower injections pose less risk.
Ohio Earthquake Statistics
Since the start of 2025, Ohio has experienced eight earthquakes with magnitudes exceeding 2, including those up to 3.1. A recent report from the Ohio Geological Survey documents 129 earthquakes in the state during the past year. This number is consistent with recent trends, slightly above the 127 earthquakes recorded in 2023 and slightly below the 135 recorded in 2022.
According to the report, the largest earthquake recorded within Ohio last year was a magnitude 3.9 earthquake on December 16 in Lawrence County.