After four years of being stationed in California and never experienceing one prior, I went through my first earthquake tonight here at Tinker - 2.5 on the Richter scale...to think I was worried about tornados. Here is the AP release: MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (AP) -- A minor earthquake shook parts of central Oklahoma tonight, rattling nerves but causing no damage or injuries. Doctor Charles Mankin, director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey, says the quake was centered in the Midwest City area east of Oklahoma City and registered 2-point-5 on the Richter scale. Mankin says people heard a loud boom,, but it probably was a shallow earthquake. he says it's not one of these deep-seated units that would be more destructive. But the phones at local fire and police agencies lit up as witnesses reported hearing a sound that resembled an explosion around 9 p-m. Emergency responders dispatched units around Tinker Air Force Base and nearby industrial areas but found no evidence of an explosion or damage.
Most people don't realize that Oklahoma has one of the most famous fault lines in the country. The Meers Fault is the only fault line that breaks the surface of the earth East of the Rockies. Fun trivia fact: Largest recorded quake in OK was in 1952 in El Reno....measured 5.5 on the Richter Scale. More info here: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states.php?regionID=36®ion=Oklahoma
