Numerous Aftershocks Follow 5.6 Magnitude Earthquake in Central Oklahoma

Central Oklahoma on Nov. 6 experienced dozens of aftershocks following a magnitude 5.6 earthquake that hit late in the evening on Nov. 5 and the magnitude 4.7 tremblor that occurred earlier on the same day east of Oklahoma City, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The USGS said the earthquakes are typical of those that occur in areas of North America east of the Rocky Mountains that have infrequent earthquakes large enough to cause minor to major damage. The aftershocks are expected to continue for weeks and possibly months but will likely decrease in frequency, according to the USGS.

The magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit just before 11 p.m. CDT. It followed three earthquakes that occurred in the same region earlier in the day.

The 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck at 2:12 a.m. on Nov. 5, with an epicenter about six miles north of Prague in Lincoln County, the Associated Press reported. That’s about 50 miles east of Oklahoma City and 75 miles southwest of Tulsa.

A 3.4 magnitude aftershock was reported at 2:27 a.m. from the same location, as well as a 2.7 magnitude aftershock at 2:44 a.m.

The earthquakes have been felt in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Texas.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck in October 2010 a few miles southeast of Norman. Two people were treated at hospitals after that temblor.