Multiple tremors follow back-to-back earthquakes in Oklahoma

More than 20 aftershocks were recorded on the U.S. Geological Survey’s website after two earthquakes capable of causing moderate damage shook northwestern Oklahoma late Wednesday night.

The 21 earthquakes ranged in magnitude from 2.5 to 4.0 as of about noon Thursday.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports a magnitude 4.4 quake was registered at 10:27 p.m. Wednesday, about 20 miles northwest of Fairview. It initially was reported as a 4.3 magnitude, then 4.7 and revised to 4.4 on Thursday. A magnitude 4.8 quake was recorded about a half mile away about 30 seconds later.

Hundreds of south-central Kansans reported feeling the 4.8 earthquake Wednesday night. Reports were submitted to the Geological Survey’s Did You Feel It? webpage from Wichita, Derby, Hutchinson, Haysville, Valley Center, Dodge City and Garden City.

Fairview police and Major County Sheriff’s Office officials say there were no reports of damage or injuries.

There were reports to the USGS that the quake was felt hundreds of miles away in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas and Wisconsin.

Fairview is about 100 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.

“It was by far the worst earthquake that I’ve experienced,” said Fairview resident Mary Beth McFadden. “The house just tremored for quite some time, and then we had another one right away.

“It was just scary. Nothing fell off the walls, but it was very nerve-wracking for a few minutes.”

Oklahoma’s earthquakes have been linked to injecting wastewater underground from oil and gas production. Regulators have ordered a reduction in volume or the closure of some wells.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates the state’s oil and natural gas industry, on Monday ordered five wastewater injection wells to reduce volume after a swarm of quakes, including a 4.2-magnitude temblor on New Year’s Day, rattled Edmond, a northeast suburb of Oklahoma City.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 8:04 AM with the headline "Multiple tremors follow back-to-back earthquakes in Oklahoma."