Are earthquakes increasing in Oklahoma? 2.7 mag. Durant zone rattles

What you need to know about earthquakes

Every year, there are about 500,000 earthquakes – 100,000 of which can be felt on the Earth's surface. But how do earthquakes work? We explain.

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A 2.7 magnitude earthquake was reported in central Oklahoma late Tuesday. Previous seismic activity in the state has been linked to the disposal of wastewater from oil and gas operations. Concerns are growing that storing carbon underground could also increase the risk of earthquakes.

A 2.7 magnitude earthquake struck parts of central Oklahoma late Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake occurred around 10:11 p.m. about 1 mile west-southwest of Durant at a depth of approximately 3.1 miles. While the shaking was minor, several residents reported feeling a brief tremor or vibration that lasted only a few seconds.

Small earthquakes are relatively common in Oklahoma, where seismic activity has been linked to underground wastewater disposal associated with oil and gas operations, according to a previous story from The Oklahoman.

Could the frequency of earthquakes increase in Oklahoma?

The earthquake comes as Oklahomans express growing concern about potential increases in earthquakes linked to pending initiatives to store carbon dioxide underground.

At least two companies have filed applications for underground carbon storage in Oklahoma as of late August. CapturePoint withdrew its bid to operate carbon wells in Osage County in January after the Environmental Protection Agency indicated it needed more information about the geology of the site and the potential for earthquakes, a company spokesman said.

The Oklahoman previously reported that although storing carbon dioxide could help curb climate change, the process may also carry the risk of increased seismic activity.

“If it were related to induced earthquakes, I think it would undermine public support for those activities,” said study author and Stanford University professor emeritus Mark Zuback.

The risk of causing earthquakes by injecting carbon into certain geological formations has been recognized for decades, researchers say. Areas with hard, brittle rock are often less suitable for underground storage.

Zuback and co-author Peter Hennings, a research professor at the University of Texas, drew parallels between wastewater injection — linked to previous earthquakes in Oklahoma — and large-scale carbon storage. The captured carbon is converted into a supercritical fluid, similar to a liquid, before being injected underground.

Where did the earthquake hit? How many earthquakes has Oklahoma experienced this year?

Oklahoma has seen more than 7,000 earthquakes over the past decade, including 10 in 2025.

Can earthquakes be predicted?

Earthquakes cannot be predicted. Neither the USGS nor scientists have predicted a major earthquake, and there is no expectation that will change in the near future.

Why do earthquakes happen?

Earthquakes occur when energy stored in the Earth's crust is suddenly released, usually along faults, which are cracks in rock where blocks of crust move relative to each other.

Most earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates, which are the huge slabs of rock that make up the Earth's surface. When these plates rub, break apart, or collide with each other, pressure builds up in the rocks. Once the pressure exceeds the strength of the rock, it breaks or slides, releasing energy in the form of seismic waves that shake the ground.

While most people think of earthquakes as natural events, some can be caused by human activity, such as underground mining, filling reservoirs, or injecting fluids into deep wells. These human-caused earthquakes are usually smaller in size, but in some cases, they can still cause large tremors.

Are earthquakes increasing?

While it may seem that earthquakes occur more often, especially with real-time alerts and widespread media coverage, the overall rate of earthquakes has remained relatively stable over time.

According to the USGS, any given year may appear busier because of improvements in technology that allow scientists to detect more small earthquakes than in the past, not because more earthquakes are actually occurring.

Long-term global records dating back to 1900 show that the Earth experiences an average of about 16 large earthquakes (magnitude 7.0 or greater) each year – typically 15 in the 7.0 range and one magnitude 8.0 or higher. In 2024, there were 10 earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater, the strongest of which was a magnitude 7.5 in Japan.

However, the risk of earthquake vulnerability is increasing due to increased human and economic exposure and the number of assets being built in high-seismic risk areas, FEMA said in a 2023 report.

Oklahoma Weather Watches and Warnings Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text message

Brandy d covers. Addison reports weather conditions across the United States as a Weather Connect correspondent for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at [email protected]. Find her on Facebook here.

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