Earthquakes Fri and Sat in north OK, strongest 4.2

ENID, Okla. (AP) — The Oklahoma Geological Survey reported several earthquakes on Friday southeast of Enid in north-central Oklahoma. They include one of magnitude 4.2, one of magnitude 3.7, and one magnitude 3.5. Four quakes occurred on Saturday morning, the strongest being magnitude 3.3, southeast of Enid in an area about 85-100 miles north of Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Geological Survey reports nearly two dozen quakes in the area since Friday with the most powerful being magnitude 4.2.

In response, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission ordered oil and gas operators to stop disposal of wastewater within three miles of the earthquake’s epicenters and to reduce disposal volumes within three to 10 miles of the epicenters.

Garfield County Emergency Management Director Mike Honigsberg says no injuries or damage have been reported from the Friday quakes.

State Seismologist Jake Walter says the quakes are likely related to the underground injection of wastewater from oil and gas production, but more study is needed.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission spokesperson Sarah Terry-Cobo says there are about a dozen active disposal wells within a 10 mile radius of the quakes.

Geologists say damage is unlikely from temblors below magnitude 4.0.