October 29, 2011
Seismic awakening? Earthquakes are increasing in Oklahoma
Two small earthquakes were reported in Oklahoma County early Friday, authorities report. (See seismic hazard map above) A 3.5-magnitude earthquake has been reported Friday by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake was at 3:18 a.m. Friday 2 miles north of Spencer and 4 miles northwest of Nicoma Park. No reports of property damage or injuries were made. Also, a 3.3 magnitude earthquake was reported at 12:24 a.m. a mile northeast of Spencer. No damages were reported from that earthquake either. –Newsok
Earthquakes are increasing in Oklahoma. There are many faults in Oklahoma.
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Far more than anyone could count, Austin Holland, seismologist for the Oklahoma Geological Survey has said on several occasions.
Oklahoma is home to the Meers Fault which is located in the southwestern part of the state.
State geologists feel Meers is just one part of Oklahoma’s complex geology that makes the state capable of producing an earthquake up to a potential 6.5 magnitude however, that doesn’t account for the latest series of tremors breaking out near Oklahoma City. Austin Holland, with the Oklahoma Geological Survey, told KRMG that there had been a significant increase in the number of quakes in the past year or so.
Holland says the central part of Oklahoma has always been a hotbed for small-scale seismic activity. “Over the past two years it’s been especially active, but not alarmingly so. We’ve had more than ten times as many earthquakes but they’ve all been magnitude 3 or less.” One exception was the Norman quake. The U.S. Geological Survey confirms 18 quakes in the area in the past six months on their website.
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