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. Mandy

    Aftershocks? Mineral VA has had 45 since the 8/23 quake that measure 2.0 and above and they still keep coming. Many more are being continuously felt in the immediate area by residents. The damage to personal property has surpassed $19million and at last count only 26 people had earthquake insurance. 2 schools were lost. Thankfully none of our children were hurt. Fema just ok'd help and insurance companies have been reluctant to pay for damages as winter approaches. Could be a mild winter as we continue to 'heat the outside' due to open gaps in our walls and chimneys. good luck to Oklahoma! Our thoughts and prayers are with those who suffered losses.

    November 7, 2011 at 12:29 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jeff

      I always get a kick out of reading these comments. I truely am sorry about the damages you guys suffered but 45 shakes over 2.0 in 2 months, we get that many each day in California.

      November 7, 2011 at 1:14 pm | Report abuse |
    • marycontrary

      @Jeff I AM SO SICK OF HEARING CALIFORNIANS pooh pooh anyone outside of CA expressing their reactions to the EXTRAORDINARYILY unusual earthquakes happening in other states. In '08 and '10 we felt earthquakes near Chicago. One was centered in my town. Siesmologists reported there are no known faults here. It was scary as hell BECAUSE WE DON'T GET EARTHQUAKES NEAR CHICAGO. OR VIRGINIA OR OK OR ARKANSAS. Yet they are happening with great frequency. Yes, GREAT frequency in comparison to past history. So Californians, keep your snide comments to yourselves.

      November 7, 2011 at 1:21 pm | Report abuse |
    • marycontrary

      And no, the Chicago area quakes were not related to the New Madrid fault. No where near.

      November 7, 2011 at 1:27 pm | Report abuse |
    • Eric Idle

      Ok, Jeff, your eathquakes are sooooooo much better. Now fall into the ocean. Not Cali, just you.

      November 7, 2011 at 2:34 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Sean

    www. watershedsentinel.ca /content/ does-gas-fracking-cause-earthquakes

    Read this...

    November 7, 2011 at 12:30 pm | Report abuse |
    • mjluck

      better site is http://WWW.eatalottabeans.makewifemad/thatwasawetone/neednewshorts.org

      November 7, 2011 at 12:35 pm | Report abuse |
    • Lou

      Fracing does not cause earthquakes. There's so much ignorance about what fracturing does and how we perform it, that everytime I hear someone make a comment like this, I laugh. I can understand that not everyone knows what we do, and we'd be more than happy to show you how we frac, but people would rather condemn before learning the real truth. Also, all you anti-fracing, anti oil people out there better listen up....without it, you'll be paying $40-$50 per gallon for gas, higher prices for food, clothes, and anything that has plastic in it or is a by-product from oil. Getting rid of oil & gas is not going to happen.

      November 7, 2011 at 1:17 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jeff

      So can damns, we should tear down all damns and outlaw all wells, people can drink out of mud puddles.

      November 7, 2011 at 1:19 pm | Report abuse |
    • Jeff

      Really??? My auto correct changes dams to damns??? You think it would be the other way around! HAHA

      November 7, 2011 at 1:22 pm | Report abuse |
    • Mahhn

      @Lou, without people like you we would have developed cleaner methods of power out of necessity and not be in wars over oil, polluting the air so much, and be bringing jobs home. But we are where we are and we still need to move on and get away from stupid methods of power.

      November 7, 2011 at 6:07 pm | Report abuse |
  3. gung hoe

    Banasy that wasnt very nice who pulled your string

    November 7, 2011 at 12:37 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Dan

    I predict an earthquake anywhere that is located on Earth.

    November 7, 2011 at 12:38 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Joe

    Members of the Oklahoma Legislature, please give your fellow Representative Sally Kern a bottle of Bean-O. Prevent a calamity to your great state!

    November 7, 2011 at 12:38 pm | Report abuse |
    • becca

      Your comment was in very poor taste.She has more insight than anyone gives her credit for. It was her who put the no shariia law on the ballot which was voted for by a wide number and was approved. Now some judge has taken it on herself to keep that law from coming to reality. Now in several other states judges have used Sharia law. It has NO PLACE in America. Before long it will be forced on every American, the antichrist will rule and you will not be able to buy or sell unless you allow a microchp to be be implanted in on your forehead or palm.All these things willl no coming to pass soon. Read your Bible see all the prophecies coming true. There will be earthquakes in many places, LOOK at the last 2 years. Rep KERN has the insight many other politcians....all the liberals

      November 7, 2011 at 1:19 pm | Report abuse |
    • Thumper

      Shut up becca. It was a bloody joke.

      November 7, 2011 at 2:36 pm | Report abuse |
  6. banasy©

    Howdy, pmk1953.

    November 7, 2011 at 12:39 pm | Report abuse |
  7. mjluck

    Asteriod party at my house tomorrow BYOB

    November 7, 2011 at 12:41 pm | Report abuse |
  8. bachmanntwit

    God is punishing Oklahoma for being too liberal.
    – Michele Bachmann –

    November 7, 2011 at 12:42 pm | Report abuse |
  9. banasy©

    @gung hoe:
    Um, the person who wrote that about my daughter...
    Told ya I get ticked when someone talks smack about my kids...

    November 7, 2011 at 12:43 pm | Report abuse |
    • Medici

      I do too. Smack on.

      November 7, 2011 at 12:44 pm | Report abuse |
    • mjluck

      spoken like a true blue single mom on welfare WTG!!! you go girl...............

      November 7, 2011 at 12:46 pm | Report abuse |
    • Medici

      So glad you're so proud of the fact that you"re a singlu mom on welfare in a blue state, mjlucky. I see a trailer in your future. Enjoy. You go, girl!!!!

      November 7, 2011 at 2:21 pm | Report abuse |
    • Huh?

      bjlucky:
      Are you saying because a loving mother defends her kids, she's automatically a single welfare mother from a blue state? What"s the matter, did your mommy never show you any affection? What a wibble you are.

      November 7, 2011 at 2:24 pm | Report abuse |
  10. Medici

    Ummmm, no.

    November 7, 2011 at 12:43 pm | Report abuse |
    • t-bone west

      How in the world would you know, Medici-man?

      November 7, 2011 at 6:17 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Ken

    Obama did it

    November 7, 2011 at 12:47 pm | Report abuse |
  12. gung hoe

    Fine BANASY BE STUCK UP DONT SAY HI

    November 7, 2011 at 12:49 pm | Report abuse |
  13. driranek

    Congratulations! This is the second interesting thing that's happened in Oklahoma in my lifetime – the only other I can remember was the bombing of the Federal Building. Keep up the good work!

    November 7, 2011 at 12:58 pm | Report abuse |
  14. fierybuddha

    "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." OMITTED: the statement "since records have been kept."

    November 7, 2011 at 12:58 pm | Report abuse |
  15. pastmorm

    These earthquakes are taking place in OK because of the fracking. Look it up...it's all in the region of the major fracking. It's happening in the exact same way in Arkansas.
    Lets see if we can just totally destroy the earth that we're living on.

    November 7, 2011 at 12:59 pm | Report abuse |
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