Yet another earthquake occurred around 8:30 this morning near Lake county. As with the two previous earthquakes, this one was centered less than 2 miles offshore of Mentor-On-The-Lake.

The magnitude was 2.6, very similar to the first earthquake of the year. For this magnitude, most folks will experience a boom-like sound, and feel a quick high-frequency vibration. Minor damage to homes does not typically occur until the magnitude approaches a high 3 or low 4 magnitude.

This latest quake comes on the heels of a major cut to Ohio's earthquake monitoring system. On February 1, the US Geological Survey (USGS) cut Ohio's federal grant of $27,000 in half, with plans to eliminate it completely in 2007. The USGS is directing its resources to higher risk areas.

The Ohio Seismic network began in 1999 with partial funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency through the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.

Hopefully, future funding can be achieved through the state, or through other grants and donations.