The earthquake of May, 1897 struck on the 31st at around 1PM. It had an epicenter near Pearisburg, Virginia, right on the West Virgina state line. The earthquake was estimated to have had a magnitude of 5.8-6.0, with a Modified Mercalli Scale (MMI) maximum rating of VIII. All of Ohio felt this earthquake, though southern and eastern sections felt it most strongly. Shaking strength was estimated to be in the MMI range of III-V across much of the state.
A MMI of V occurred at Cincinnati during the earthquake of May, 1897. A V is described as the following:
Felt by all, frightens some. Pictures and lighting sway, a few objects fall from shelves or are overturned. A few instances of cracked plaster or windows.
The Times-Star in Cincinnati made the following report the following day:
Felt “here and in the suburbs…. The printers ran out of the Times-Star office. The occupants of other buildings were alarmed, and at Coney Island, Chester Park, the Zoo gardens, and elsewhere there was consternation among the holiday crowds. At the Lagoon, on the Kentucky side, there was a panic among several thousand people on the grounds. The waters in the Lagoon were so rough that the life-saving crew went to the relief of those out on the electric pleasure boats.”
Zanesville experienced an MMI of V. It was reported that the Courier Building, “experienced decided vibrations” to such an extent that “the employees on the fourth and third floors deserted their posts, greatly frightened.”
In other places, where the exact MMI is not known or estimated, there were reports of light damage and general panic.
In Pomeroy, it was reported to The Columbus Dispatch that, “This city was considerably shaken up by an earthquake at 1:30 yesterday. Buildings were badly shaken, dishes knocked from shelves and several persons on the streets were stunned, almost to insensibility.”
In Nelsonville, the Dispatch reported, “An earthquake shock was plainly discernible here at 1 o’clock yesterday. In one house, a lamp was shaken from the table. Many persons were frightenend.”
At Batavia, it was reported that, “Quite a perceptible earthquake shock was felt here yesterday, about 1 o’clock and lasing for a full minute’s duration. Windows rattled, and in a number of cases, dishes were thrown down and broken.”
In Jackson, the report was that, “At the county infirmary, situated about two miles east of this city, the earthquake shock on Monday was very violent. The terrified inmates ran screaming from the buildings. Upon examination it was found that the shock had cracked the walls in many places. Window panes were also broken.”
In Columbus, the earthquake likely registered at a III at most. Many people did not feel it at all. The Dispatch reported that a “Mr. King, in his room in the Neil House, detected the earthquake the instant of its occurrence, took note of the time, reported the facts at the office, and was laughed at good naturedly by the clerks, but when The Evening Dispatch brought his vindication they cheerfully admitted that Mr. King knew an earthquake when he felt it.”
Near the epicenter in Western Virginia, the quake damaged many buildings, felled many chimneys, and even a train was derailed due to area landslides.
The epicenter in Giles County, Virginia.