Oklahoma experiences what USGS calls 4.5 magnitude earthquake

An earthquake of 4.5 magnitude was reported Nov. 1 about 9 miles southeast of Pawnee, Okla., said the Oklahoma Corporation Commission Oil & Gas Division.

OCC issued an advisory saying it was working on a response along with the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Oklahoma Geological Survey regarding the earthquake centered about 36 miles from downtown Tulsa.

An increase in earthquakes 3.0 magnitude or stronger has been associated with the disposal of wastewater from oil and natural gas production. State regulators have ordered some injection wells permanently shut down and others to reduce their injection volumes (OGJ Online, Mar. 7, 2016).

The US Geological Survey rated the Pawnee earthquake as a 4.5 magnitude while the Oklahoma Geological Survey ranked it at 4.3 magnitude. The earthquake was centered about 25 miles southeast of a 5.8 magnitude earthquake on Sept. 3, officials said.

A series of earthquakes rocked Oklahoma Nov. 1 of which five registered at least 2.0 magnitude. Pawnee Police said that preliminary reports show no significant damage.