Saturday, November 05, 2011

Earthquake, aftershocks felt across Oklahoma, region

Multiple earthquakes shook much of central Oklahoma early Saturday, rousing people from their sleep as far away as Kansas City, Mo.

FROM STAFF REPORTS
Published: November 5, 2011

A 4.7 magnitude earthquake rattled homes across central Oklahoma early Saturday morning.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the initial quake was centered about six miles north of Prague about 2:12 a.m.

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 east of the metro area in Lincoln County.

And those aftershocks continued into this morning as a 3.6 magnitude quake struck about 8:36 a.m., also centered about two miles southeast of Sparks.

The National Weather Service in Norman said via its Facebook page the earthquake was felt in Norman and also as far away as weather offices in Topeka, Kansas and Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

There have been no reports of significant damage caused by the quake. According to OG&E's system watch page it did not cause power outages anywhere in that company's coverage area across the state. Oklahoma Natural Gas is not reporting any gas leaks or service outages.

Tom Foster was awakened in his southwest Oklahoma City home by what he believes was an aftershock.

"It was a little later than what they say was the initial quake so I think I felt one of the after shocks," he said. "The bigger quake didn't wake me up. But I know we've already had several phone calls from out of state relatives wondering what happened. I guess it's more interesting than anything that was dangerous."

Heather Spicer of Sapulpa said the quake woke her son and dog up.
"At first I thought and airplane had crashed nearby," she said. "But now I believe it was an earthquake because the whole house just kept vibrating with what sounded like distant thunder outside."

Matt Hoover of Perkins was wrapping birthday presents at 2:20 a.m. when he felt the quake. He thought the experience, his first with a quake, was exciting.

"The whole house started to shake and a low rumble could be heard throughout the house," he said. "It lasted about 20 seconds."

photo - Source: usgs.gov
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