4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Central Oklahoma

The U.S. Geological Survey says an earthquake that rattled central Oklahoma on Aug. 10 had a preliminary magnitude of 4.0. It struck shortly after 6 a.m. with an epicenter in Luther, about 23 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.

The USGS says the earthquake was widely felt in central Oklahoma and as far north as Wichita, Kan.

On the previous day, north central Oklahoma felt a pair of quakes with magnitudes of 3.9 and 3.5. The pair struck near the town of Perry late Tuesday afternoon.

The number of magnitude 3.0 or greater earthquakes has skyrocketed in Oklahoma, from a few dozen in 2012 to more than 900 in 2015.

Scientists have linked the increase to the underground disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production and state regulators have asked producers to reduce wastewater disposal volumes.