5.6 Magnitude Earthquake in Oklahoma, Rattles Other Midwestern States
It's one of Oklahoma's largest quakes on record.
— -- A 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck Oklahoma Saturday morning, making it one of the largest quakes on record in the Midwestern state.
The powerful quake happened at 7:02 a.m. local time in north-central Oklahoma, according to the United States Geological Survey. People in other parts of the Midwest, from Nebraska to north Texas, reported feeling the earthquake a few minutes later.
An earthquake of the same magnitude rattled the region in November 2011.
Officials in Oklahoma are still assessing the aftermath. In Pawnee, near where the quake was centered, police said windows were shattered and the facades of some brick buildings were damaged. Pawnee County Emergency Management Director Mark Randell told The Associated Press that no buildings had collapsed in the town of 2,200 and there were also no injuries.
"We've got buildings cracked," Randell said. "Most of it's brick and mortar, old buildings from the early 1900s."
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin tweeted that the state Department of Emergency Management would assess the damage in Pawnee. State officials were also checking bridges in the area for any damage. Staff from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates the energy industry, was at the office reviewing disposal wells in the vicinity of the record-tying quake, Fallin said.
Oklahoma has had an increase in earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 and greater that has been linked to underground disposal of wastewater from oil and natural gas production. A cluster of quakes struck northwest Oklahoma this year, including a 5.1 magnitude earthquake. And last fall, several 4.7 magnitude quakes were felt.
ABC News’ Matthew Fuhrman and Matt Foster contributed to this report. The Associated Press also contributed to this report.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
Related Topics
Related Stories
ABC News Live