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Seismic-instrument pier at the Ohio Earthquake Information Center. Seismometers include broadband instruments operated by the Ohio Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey, and a USGS strong-motion sensor.
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As part of the mission of the Ohio Seismic Network, the Division of Geological Survey operates the Ohio Earthquake Information Center (OEIC) to serve as a focal point for dissemination of earthquake information about the state. The functions of the OEIC include determining location and magnitude of Ohio earthquakes, coordination of seismic monitoring in Ohio, answering public and media inquiries on all aspects of earthquakes, producing publications and a Web site, providing timely and accurate information to the public, media, government, and scientific community when an Ohio earthquake occurs, and determining long-term seismic risk in the state.
The Ohio Earthquake Information Center is headquartered at the Division of Geological Survey's sample repository at Alum Creek State Park, located about 15 miles north of Columbus in Delaware County. A small room adjacent to the lobby, which can be viewed by the public through a window, houses instruments of Ohio Seismic Network station ACSO. In addition, the facility hosts a U.S Geological Survey Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) station, which consists of a Streckeisen STS-2 broadband seismometer and a Kinemetrics strong-motion sensor, housed in an underground vault behind the building. The ANSS instruments are linked to the National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colorado, via satellite for real-time data transmission. A permanent EarthScope GPS monument is also deployed on the property. Both the ANSS seismic station and the GPS monument are the only ones in Ohio. Displays relating to earthquakes, including a near-real-time display of ground motion at OEIC, are featured in the lobby.