Pleasant City, Ohio – A rare earthquake struck near the Ohio–Pennsylvania border early Tuesday, shaking parts of eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania just after 4 a.m.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the 3.1 magnitude quake hit at 4:12 a.m. EDT about 2 kilometers east-southeast of Pleasant City in Guernsey County, Ohio. The shallow quake, measured at a depth of just 5 kilometers, was felt across the Appalachian foothills from Zanesville to Pittsburgh.
Shaking was light but noticeable in multiple counties across the border region, including Belmont, Monroe, and Washington counties in Ohio, and parts of western Pennsylvania such as Beaver and Allegheny counties. Residents near Wheeling, West Virginia, also reported feeling the tremor.
No damage or injuries have been confirmed, but USGS data shows four community “Did You Feel It?” responses so far, rating the shaking as moderate for the region.
While Ohio and western Pennsylvania aren’t known for seismic activity, minor earthquakes do occasionally occur along ancient fault lines. Tuesday’s quake serves as a reminder that even in the Midwest and East Coast, the ground can move unexpectedly.
The USGS is monitoring for possible aftershocks. Residents are encouraged to report any shaking or structural cracks through the USGS website.
