Series Of Small Earthquakes Recorded In Northern Oklahoma

In this June 10, 2015 photo, Dr. Anne Sheehan, Professor of Geological Sciences and Fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, (CIRES), opens a compartment in a weatherproof digital r... In this June 10, 2015 photo, Dr. Anne Sheehan, Professor of Geological Sciences and Fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, (CIRES), opens a compartment in a weatherproof digital recorder, part of her kit of solar-powered seismometers, used to measure earthquakes, including those caused by injection wells at petroleum extraction sites, at CU Boulder, in Boulder, Colo. Colorado is one of a handful of states grappling with earthquakes blamed on such wells, which inject the wastewater deep underground because it’s too salty or contaminated to be poured into rivers or lakes. Similar earthquake problems have been reported in Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley) MORE LESS
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CUSHING, Okla. (AP) — A series of small earthquakes have been recorded across northern Oklahoma following two moderate earthquakes in the area on Saturday.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that nine quakes ranging in magnitude from 2.5 to 3.7 were recorded between 5:07 p.m. Saturday and 5:27 a.m. Sunday. No injuries or damage were reported. Geologists say damage is not likely in quakes below magnitude 4.0.

The latest seismic activity comes after a 4.5 magnitude temblor Saturday afternoon near Cushing and a 4.4 magnitude quake Saturday morning southwest of Medford.

Cushing is where the world’s most important crude oil storage hub is located and it is used to settle futures contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Cushing Emergency Management Director Bob Noltensmeyer said Sunday that no significant damage was found, only “shattered nerves.”

“It’s kind of frustrating and irritating,” Noltensmeyer said, “because you never know when they’re going to happen.”

The Oklahoma Geological Survey has said it is likely that many recent earthquakes in the state have been triggered by the injection of wastewater from oil and natural gas drilling operations.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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