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Earthquake warning issued for Oklahoma.. huh?

(OKLAHOMA CITY) - The United States Geological Survey says the rate of earthquakes in Oklahoma has increased by about 50% since October 2013, significantly increasing the chance for a damaging quake in central Oklahoma.

In a statement by the U.S. Geological Survey and Oklahoma Geological Survey, the agencies reported that 183 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater occurred from October 2013 through April 14.

That compares to an average of only two magnitude 3.0 or larger earthquakes per year from 1978 to 2008.

“While it’s been known for decades that Oklahoma is ‘earthquake country,’ we hope that this new advisory of increased hazard will become a crucial consideration in

Earthquake preparedness for residents, schools and businesses in the area,” said Dr. Bill Leith, Senior Science Advisor for Earthquakes and Geologic Hazards at

USGS. “Building owners and government officials should have a special concern for older, unreinforced brick structures, which are vulnerable to serious damage during sufficient shaking.”

The statement indicates that a likely factor in the increase in earthquakes is wastewater injection.

The OGS increased the number of monitoring stations and now operates a seismograph network of 15 permanent stations and 17 temporary stations.”

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