PAWNEE, Okla. (KFSM) — The United States Geological Survey announced that Saturday’s 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Pawnee, Oklahoma is believed to be the strongest ever recorded in the state.
The USGS said the Pawnee earthquake was about 10 percent stronger than a 2011 earthquake near Prague, Oklahoma even though both quakes measured a 5.6 on the Richter scale, reported News on 6. Magnitudes are rounded numbers, so there can be differences even among quakes of the same magnitude, the USGS explained.
Additionally, the USGS warned Oklahomans to be prepared for aftershocks, which could reach up to the 4.0 magnitudes.
USGS officials said based on aftershock locations, they believe the earthquake happened along a previously unknown fault that has now been activated, News on 6 reported. The fault intersects with another known fault in Pawnee.
