4.4 magnitude earthquake shakes southern Kansas

The strongest earthquake to strike Harper County in recent memory rumbled across southern Kansas early Thursday afternoon.

The quake, with a magnitude of 4.4, was centered 7 miles east-southeast of Harper and struck at a depth of 3 miles, the United States Geological Survey said on its website.

The earthquake, which began at 1:01 p.m. Thursday, was felt in Wichita, 43 miles to the northeast. Respondents to the USGS site recorded feeling the earthquake as far north as Manhattan and as far south as Oklahoma City.

“It shook pretty good and it cracked plaster,” said Frank Smith, who lives 15 miles east-southeast of Anthony in Harper County, said of the first earthquake. “It lasted for much longer than usual.”

Another quake that struck about 30 minutes later had a preliminary magnitude of 3.4. It was centered about 4 miles southeast of Harper and was 3.1 miles deep, according to the USGS website.

A third earthquake was recorded in about the same area at 5:50 p.m. It had a magnitude of 3.1, USGS said.

Harper County Emergency Management director Thomas Winter said minor damage was reported from the stronger earthquake, but no injuries.

“Small cracks in ceilings, items falling from walls and shelves,” Winter said.

He added: “Our 100-year-old courthouse has some damage to its plaster molding.”

People in the area reported feeling several smaller earthquakes, possibly aftershocks, directly afterward but those weren’t registered with USGS, Winter said.

“This is currently the strongest one on record, that we’re aware of” for Harper County, he said.

There have been more than 50 earthquakes in Kansas this year, according to the USGS.

At least eight earthquakes have shaken southern Kansas this week. Interim Kansas Geological Survey director Rex Buchanan says four other earthquakes rocked the state Tuesday, including a 3.8-magnitude earthquake. At least two earthquakes were recorded Wednesday. All but one of them occurred in Harper County.

A panel commissioned by Gov. Sam Brownback recently announced there isn’t enough evidence to link recent quakes to oil and gas exploration in the region. The group recommended more monitoring.

Earthquakes have become rather common in Harper County, Winter said.

“It’s an unnerving feeling,” Winter said. “Everyone’s got an uneasy feeling.

“We’re prepared for tornadoes and things like that … we’re not used to this ground-shaking.”

John Denney, who lives with his 83-year-old mother in the Wichita neighborhood of Planeview, said he felt two distinct earthquakes.

“It shook the whole house, but nothing fell,” Denney said. “It sure brought my mother off the commode real quick.”

Contributing: Amy Renee Leiker of The Eagle; Associated Press

This story was originally published October 2, 2014 at 1:36 PM with the headline "4.4 magnitude earthquake shakes southern Kansas."