SMALL EARTHQUAKE NEAR PAINSVILLE, OHIO

Origin Time: March 14, 2004, 05:05:10.28 UTC (12:05 EST)
Location: 41.77º N   -81.24º W
Magnitude: 2.4 mbLg
Depth: 5km (fixed)

A small earthquake was strongly felt by many people in the vicinity of Painesville, Lake County, on March 14 at 12:05 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Most felt reports were from Fairport Harbor and Grand River; however, reports ranged from Mentor on the west, Concord on the south, and Painesville on the east. Although the instrumental magnitude of 2.4 is small, unconsolidated sediments adjacent to the Grand River probably amplified ground motion. Citizens described a loud boom and a sharp jolt from the earthquake. No damage was reported but a number of people were wakened from sleep and some indicated being frightened by the shock. Some thought a vehicle has hit their home, the furnace exploded, or that someone was trying to break in. A few people in Fairport Harbor reported a smaller shock several minutes after the mainshock. Instrumental records from Ohio Seismic Network station LECO at Lake Erie College in Painesville confirm an aftershock at 12:12:11 EST. The magnitude of the aftershock was about 1.5. The fact that such a small event was felt by several people is indicative of the soft-sediment amplication factor.
 
The earthquake was recorded at Ohio Seismic Network stations in Painesville (LECO), Cleveland (CLEO), and Ashtabula (ACEO) and at several southern Ontario stations of the Geological Survey of Canada. Individuals are encouraged to report their experiences with this earthquake to the Community Internet Intensity Web site. Report it as a "New Earthquake." These reports are very important in helping to understand seismic risk in Ohio.