3.5 magnitude earthquake in SE Ohio

NELSONVILLE, Ohio (AP) — The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting that a mild earthquake has shaken residents in southeastern Ohio.

The agency says the 3.5-magnitude quake occurred close to 1 p.m. today. The epicenter was about 2 miles southeast of the town of Nelsonville in Athens County.

The county’s emergency management agency says it received a number of 911 calls about the event but no immediate reports of damage.

Geophysicist John Bellini described the quake as “light.” He says people in the area might have felt a quick jolt, while some unstable items could have fallen from desks or shelves.

He says earthquakes must register at a 4.5 magnitude to cause any significant damage.

Ohio University, in nearby Athens, says its campus felt the earthquake but there was no damage to facilities reported.