Mark Schlachtenhaufen
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND —
Several earthquakes were recorded Tuesday night and Wednesday in eastern Oklahoma County near Jones and Luther.
At 7:46 p.m. Tuesday, a 3.6 magnitude earthquake was recorded by Oklahoma Geological Survey instruments north of East Memorial Road and west of North Triple X Road.
At 8:07 p.m. a 2.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded south of East Memorial Road and east of Indian Meridian Road was recorded.
In addition, a 2.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the same area at 4:17 a.m. Wednesday. Magnitude 2.4 and 2.3 earthquakes also were recorded Wednesday.
Last week, eight earthquakes were recorded in the area, which is being studied by geologists.
This has been an active year for earthquakes in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Geological Survey has recorded more than 200 earthquakes in the state, a much greater number than in years past. There have been nearly 60 earthquakes which were felt.
The seismicity at this point appears consistent with normal background seismicity. Presently, the number of earthquakes recorded in Oklahoma for 2010, appear more numerous than in years past but the fact remains that earthquake monitoring in our state was only initiated 50 years ago.
In January, the U.S. Geological Survey placed a recording station in a Jones High School classroom. Scientists were using data to try and figure out why the area earthquakes were happening.
The Oklahoma Geological Survey Observatory in rural Tulsa County, south of Leonard is a comprehensive geophysical observatory which records, identifies and locates 50-167 earthquakes in Oklahoma each year, and at least seven worldwide earthquakes per day.
Oklahoma’s most intense earthquake, a 5.5 magnitude temblor, occurred in 1952 in the El Reno area, according to the USGS. It caused damage, including toppled chimneys and smokestacks, in El Reno, Oklahoma City and Ponca City.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 367
