The magnitude 5.2 (mb) northern Kentucky earthquake of July 27, 1980, at 18:52:21.8 UTC, located at 38.17N, 83.91W with a depth of 8 km (as determined by the National Earthquake Information Service), was particularly notable for the widespread damage it did, especially to older chimneys. Investigators from several different organizations were in the field shortly after the earthquake recording aftershocks and checking intensities. The data from postal intensity surveys and field personnel are still coming in, and it will be some time before it is all evaluated and analyzed. This preliminary list of the results of our own field investigations is being produced now in order that the information we gathered may be combined with that of other researchers for analysis.
Our investigation, conducted from July 28 to August 3, was designed to delineate the areal distribution of the intensities and to document the amount and type of damage in the epicentral region. Tentative intensities have been assigned to these reports and they have been plotted in figure 1. However, as more information becomes available from other investigators, some of these values may be changed and other locations may be added. Therefore no attempt has been made to contour the data. A maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VII was assigned to Maysville, Ky., approximately 50 km north of the epicenter, based on the concentrated chimney and other types of building damage there. Elsewhere, similar but scattered chimney damage has been assigned intensity VI.
