Madison, Ohio – A rare earthquake was recorded early Tuesday morning just northeast of Cleveland, shaking parts of northeast Ohio near the Lake Erie shoreline and close to the Pennsylvania border. While no damage has been reported, the event stands out in a region where seismic activity is uncommon.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 2.6 earthquake struck roughly 2 kilometers east-northeast of Madison shortly before dawn. The quake originated at a depth of about 8 kilometers beneath the Lake Erie region, north of Interstate 90. Residents in nearby communities may have noticed a brief rumble or vibration, particularly in quieter early-morning conditions.
The epicenter sits east of Cleveland near Ashtabula County, an area that occasionally experiences small seismic events tied to ancient fault lines beneath the Great Lakes. While earthquakes of this size are generally not damaging, they can be felt locally, especially in homes with light construction or along the lakeshore.
Emergency management officials say no injuries or structural damage have been reported, and no aftershocks are expected. Still, residents who felt shaking are encouraged to submit reports to the USGS “Did You Feel It?” program to help scientists better understand how the quake was experienced across the region.
Seismologists note that small earthquakes like this are reminders that the Great Lakes region is not entirely immune to seismic activity, even if events remain infrequent.
