November 7th, 2011
10:30 AM ET

Oklahoma can expect more quake aftershocks, USGS says

Aftershocks from Saturday's 5.6-magnitude earthquake in Oklahoma are likely to continue for weeks or even months, the U.S. Geological Survey says, but rattled residents can expect them to decrease in intensity.

The USGS says dozens of aftershocks from the temblor, and a 4.7-magnitude foreshock, have been recorded since the 5.6 quake hit at 10:53 CT Saturday night.

The Oklahoma Geological Survey says the quake was the largest ever to strike in the state, topping a 5.5-magnitude temblor that struck on April 9, 1952.

Saturday's quake was centered about four miles east of Sparks, in Lincoln County, Oklahoma. The USGS says on its website that it has not been able to determine what fault line the quake occurred on, but scientists are focusing on the Wilzetta fault, which they describe as one of a series of small faults that formed in the area about 300 million years ago. If the Wilzetta fault did rupture Saturday, it would be the first time a surface-rupturing quake has been recorded on it.

All previous surface-rupturing quakes in Oklahoma have occurred on the Meers fault, in the south-central portion of the state, the USGS says.

Damage from Saturday's quake was slight, with The Oklahoman newspaper reporting minor damage to 12 homes and a buckling of U.S. Highway 62 near the epicenter in Lincoln County.

But the quake was anything but minor to one couple whose home sits near the epicenter. The chimney of Joe and Mary Reneau's home came crashing through their roof in Prague, Oklahoma, CNN affiliate KJRH-TV reported.

"Wham! It wasn't just a sudden bang,” Joe Reneau told KJRH. “This house was rocking and rolling."

But it wasn't just people that the quake stirred up. Birds and bugs were so rattled that they took to flight in massive numbers, enough to show up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather radar, CNN affiliate KTUL-TV reported. Check out the radar images here.

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Filed under: Earthquake • Natural Disasters • Oklahoma
soundoff (341 Responses)
  1. ma & pa

    Why science OR Bible? We see them both as a continum of knowledge basically saying what has happened and will happen and what could go wrong or right depending on how prepared we are for what they both say will happen somtime. Be of good cheer and have a plan to survive the constant moving, shaking and rebuilding that's continued from all time. Humanity is fragile but adaptable and the earth keeps spinning.

    November 8, 2011 at 2:55 pm | Report abuse |
  2. abc

    ldhg;oadfghadohau hadgho

    November 9, 2011 at 9:05 am | Report abuse |
  3. Klavier Lernen

    In addition she regularly reports on client rankings gives SEO advice to brands in a variety of industries and manages client expectations. klavier lernen

    November 9, 2011 at 9:21 am | Report abuse |
  4. Rick

    We just had another one this morning.

    November 9, 2011 at 2:17 pm | Report abuse |
  5. john

    Someone who predicted this http://unknown-futurealert.blogspot.com/

    November 12, 2011 at 11:00 pm | Report abuse |
  6. pam

    This to everybody scientists and who ever else.the reason for various earthquakes that we been having is because we are all at the end of days that's why if you would open up you're bible and read Matthews 24 everything would make since .these disasters are happening for a reason and it's about to get even worst as time goes on.so I advice everyone to turn to the lord why you still have what little time we gave left on this earth..cause Christ second coming is going to happened sooner than you think

    December 9, 2011 at 10:51 am | Report abuse |
  7. Rileyl Tekatokikutab

    Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was searching for! "It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." by J. K. Rowling.

    July 28, 2012 at 5:02 pm | Report abuse |
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