The ODNR numbers mark a stark increase from 31 recorded tremors in 2024 — more than a fivefold rise. Officials said most of the seismic events were concentrated in Washington and Noble counties, an area traditionally considered seismically quiet.
“This is a significant shift,” said ODNR geologist Sarah Peebles in a statement. “While most of these events were too small to be felt at the surface, the frequency and clustering raise important questions about subsurface conditions in the region.”
The largest of last year’s quakes, a magnitude 3.1 event in early October, was felt in parts of Marietta and Caldwell. No injuries or structural damage were reported.
Peebles said researchers are investigating potential causes, including natural fault activity and possible links to underground industrial operations such as gas extraction or wastewater injection. However, officials emphasized that no direct connections have been confirmed.
Ohio sits on several ancient fault lines, and minor earthquakes occur from time to time, primarily in the state’s northeastern region. The recent uptick in Southeast Ohio, experts say, may reflect both natural geological shifts and improved seismic monitoring.
ODNR plans to expand monitoring equipment in 2026 to better understand the changes and assess any risks to residents or infrastructure.
“Ohioans should not be alarmed,” Peebles said. “But we should pay attention. This level of activity reminds us how dynamic the ground beneath us can be.”