A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Oklahoma City on Friday, followed by a series of aftershocks, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake was centered near Prague, about 63 miles east of Oklahoma City, and had a depth of just under 2 miles.
The Oklahoma Geological Survey reported that the earthquake was the largest to hit the state since the 5.7 magnitude quake in Prague in 2011. A series of smaller earthquakes, as large as 3.5 magnitude, were also felt in the area.
State Seismologist Jake Walter said on social media that he expected more aftershocks to continue in the coming days. The USGS indicated that the earthquake was felt across much of Oklahoma, including in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and across state lines in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and parts of Texas.
The Oklahoma City area had already experienced a 4.1 magnitude earthquake on Saturday, one of several in Oklahoma, amid a series of quakes along a fault line near the Northeast Edmond Gas and Oil Field.
Earthquakes east of the Rockies, while less frequent than in the West, are typically felt over larger areas. According to the USGS, the Oklahoma City area experienced a 4.1 magnitude earthquake, with a depth of 4.1 miles, in mid-January.
The state has seen an uptick in earthquakes in recent years, many of which have derived from human activity, including oil and natural gas production.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates the state’s oil and gas industry, has implemented measures to reduce the risk of induced seismicity. However, the commission’s actions have not been enough to prevent the increase in earthquakes.
The Oklahoma Geological Survey has recommended that operators reduce wastewater injection volumes in areas with high seismic activity. However, the commission has not yet taken any action to implement these recommendations.
The increase in earthquakes has caused concern among residents and has led to a decline in the public’s trust in the state’s oil and gas industry. The Oklahoma City area has experienced several earthquakes in recent years, and many residents are worried about the long-term effects of the quakes on their homes and businesses.
The Oklahoma City area is not alone in its experience of induced seismicity. Other states, such as Texas and Kansas, have also seen an increase in earthquakes due to oil and gas production.
The USGS has reported that the number of earthquakes in the central and eastern United States has increased significantly since 2009, with many of the earthquakes being linked to the injection of wastewater into deep wells.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also expressed concern about the link between oil and gas production and induced seismicity. In 2016, the EPA released a report that found that hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and the disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production can cause earthquakes.
The EPA report found that the disposal of wastewater is the most common cause of induced seismicity, but that fracking can also cause earthquakes, particularly in areas with pre-existing faults.
The EPA recommended that operators take steps to reduce the risk of induced seismicity, including monitoring seismic activity and adjusting their operations as necessary.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has taken some steps to reduce the risk of induced seismicity, such as requiring operators to reduce the volume of wastewater injection in areas with high seismic activity. However, some critics argue that the commission has not done enough to prevent the increase in earthquakes.
The Oklahoma Geological Survey has recommended that operators reduce wastewater injection volumes in areas with high seismic activity. However, the commission has not yet taken any action to implement these recommendations.
The increase in earthquakes has also led to a decline in the public’s trust in the state’s oil and gas industry. Many residents are worried about the long-term effects of the quakes on their homes and businesses.
The Oklahoma City area has experienced several earthquakes in recent years, and many residents are concerned about the long-term effects of the quakes on their homes and businesses. Some residents have reported damage to their homes, including cracks in walls and foundations.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department has reported that the number of insurance claims related to earthquakes has increased significantly in recent years. In 2015, the department received more than 1,000 earthquake-related claims, up from just a handful in previous years.
The increase in earthquakes has also had an impact on the state’s economy. The oil and gas industry is a major contributor to the state’s economy, but the increase in earthquakes has led to a decline in drilling activity and a decrease in revenue for the industry.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has taken some steps to reduce the risk of induced seismicity, but more needs to be done to prevent the increase in earthquakes and protect residents and businesses from their effects. The state’s oil and gas industry must also take responsibility for its role in the increase in earthquakes and work with regulators to implement measures to reduce the risk of induced seismicity.
