1980 NORTHERN KENTUCKY EARTHQUAKE (from Summer 1981 Ohio
Geology) The earthquake that shook Ohio and all or portions of
13 other states and southern Canada on July 27, 1980, initiated
numerous media and citizen inquiries concerning this particular
earthquake and the general seismicity of Ohio. Many residents of
Ohio were amazed to learn that the state had ever experienced
any previous earthquakes and were startled to find out that more
than 100 earthquakes have been reported from the state since
1776. The personal involvement in this event by such a large
segment of the state's population effectively brought
considerable attention to the geological sciences in Ohio.
Division personnel answered numerous telephone inquiries and
participated in a number of television, radio, and newspaper
interviews. The response to a news release announcing the
availability of the Survey leaflet Earthquakes in Ohio was
overwhelming. Copies of this leaflet, EL 9, may be obtained free
of charge from the Survey. Isoseismal map and