Oklahoma rattled by 4.7 earthquake

The U.S. Geological Survey said the initial quake was centered about six miles north of Prague about 2:12 a.m.
That quake was followed by a series of aftershocks. A 3.4 magnitude aftershock was felt moments later followed by another 2.7 magnitude aftershock about five miles southeast of Sparks. Sparks is east of the metro area in Lincoln County.
And those aftershocks continued into this morning as a 3.6 magnitude quake struck about 8:36 a.m., also centered about two miles southeast of Sparks.
The National Weather Service in Norman said via its Facebook page the earthquake was felt in Norman and also as far away as weather offices in Topeka, Kansas and Pleasant Hill, Missouri.
There have been no reports of significant damage caused by the quake. According to OG&E's system watch page it did not cause power outages anywhere in that company's coverage area across the state. Oklahoma Natural Gas is not reporting any gas leaks or service outages.
Tom Foster was awakened in his southwest Oklahoma City home by what he believes was an aftershock.
"It was a little later than what they say was the initial quake so I think I felt one of the after shocks," he said. "The bigger quake didn't wake me up. But I know we've already had several phone calls from out of state relatives wondering what happened. I guess it's more interesting than anything that was dangerous."
Heather Spicer of Sapulpa said the quake woke her son and dog up.
"At first I thought and airplane had crashed nearby," she said. "But now I believe it was an earthquake because the whole house just kept vibrating with what sounded like distant thunder outside."


The 4.7 magnitude quake was reported at 2:12 a.m. with an epicenter about six miles north of Prague, Okla., about 50 miles east of Oklahoma City, according to the USGS. The quake was the third-largest in state history, Caruso said, following a temblor that shook Noble, Okla., on Oct. 13, 2010, and a 5.5 quake reported in El Reno, Okla., about 30 miles west of the capital, on April 9, 1952.


The quake was followed by nine aftershocks in the same area, Caruso said.


He said it was difficult to say what caused the quake, but that it originated from rocks moving sideways on a "strike slip" fault similar to the San Andreas Fault. The Oklahoma fault is known as the Wilzetta Fault, also the Seminole uplift, according to the Oklahoma Geological Survey, which reported more than 30 aftershocks associated with Saturday's quake.


No injuries have been reported, but there have been reports of minor damage from items falling off walls, according to staff of the Lincoln County sheriff's office who spoke with The Times.


Oklahoma City police told The Times they have received several 911 calls but no reports of injuries or damage.


All about: U.S. Geological Survey,  Aftershocks,  Oklahoma,  Oklahoma City, United States