Record 5.6 magnitude earthquake shakes Oklahoma
The largest earthquake ever recorded in the state of Oklahoma struck Saturday night, officials said.
The quake had a magnitude of 5.6, and its epicenter was four miles east of Sparks in Lincoln County, according to the Oklahoma Geological Survey. The quake hit at 10:53 p.m.
The quake was reportedly felt as far away as Illinois, Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas.
The Lincoln County sheriff’s office said late Saturday that damage has been reported across the county, but officials still were responding to calls and were not sure of the extent of damage.
The Lincoln County emergency manager reported portions of U.S. 62 have buckled and the chimney on a two-story house collapsed near Prague. A boulder also rolled onto a roadway in the area, the emergency manager told The Tulsa World. Other buildings have been damaged, and further assessments will be made after daylight.
That quake was followed by a series of aftershocks. A 3.4 magnitude aftershock was felt moments later, followed by another 2.7 magnitude aftershock about five miles southeast of Sparks. Sparks is in Lincoln County.
Also see:
Oklahoma's largest quake buckles highway
Eight quakes reported in 24 hours in Oklahoma
Oklahoma/Tulsa M 4.7 and M 5.6 earthquakes
There have actually been 20 quakes 2.5 or greater recorded in OK since the first 4.7 at 2:13 am Saturday.
ReplyDeleteHave to wonder if the spokesperson for USGS who reported a total of eight quakes on OK, is under orders to minimize the signifance? But it does seem rather odd she would throw out such a number when the agency she works for contradicts such a claim.
ReplyDeleteOK earthquake swarm
Not sure about - maybe one article is more recent than the other?
ReplyDeleteAlthough Dutch often says that USGS underreports on may occasions, but I've never looked into that
The USGS compiles information, Universities for example report independent eq info to them, and they in turn record their reporting. There is a diference if for example nuke testing were occurring.They can distinguish between the seismic signatures of an underground nuclear explosion and an earthquake. For example, Pakistan was testing nukes under ground in the moutains. Here is a list that is updated.
ReplyDelete"Latest Earthquakes in the World - Past 7 days
Latest Earthquakes Magnitude 2.5 or Greater in the United States and Adjacent Areas and Magnitude 4.5 or Greater in the Rest of the World - Last 7 days"
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php