According to the Oklahoma Geological Survey, there have been 26 earthquakes this
year in Oklahoma. One of the largest was a magnitude 5.5 centered near El Reno on April 9, 1952. It broke dishes, toppled some chimneys, and shattered some plate glass windows, but no one was hurt.
The largest in Kansas may have occurred April 24, 1867. It’s reported that it shook the earth from Kansas to Kentucky. The exact strength was unknown, but several people were injured, and many more were frightened.
The United States Geological Survey’s Earthquake Hazard Program catalogues quakes throughout the world. As of writing this column, I noticed that just today there have been earthquakes in over a dozen locations from China to Arizona. So far this year they have recorded 2,639 earthquakes.
I think the reason you don’t hear more about our earthquakes is because most are extremely weak. There is a very sensitive seismograph located in Leonard, OK. It can detect and record earthquakes that most of us will never feel. It is sort of like the weather in that there is a lot going on, but most of the time we don’t realize it, unless it affects us directly.
If you have a weather question for Dan, send it to: askdan@kjrh.com
