Fault System Found Under Jones, Oklahoma

New detectors have found fault lines in the Jones, Okla., area, where dozens of small earthquakes have been recorded since last year.

“There’s definitely some kind of fault system there,” said Austin Holland, geophysicist for the Oklahoma Geological Survey, who was busy on Feb. 15 reviewing data collected over the weekend.

The frequency of underground rumblings continues to increase in eastern Oklahoma County. Small earthquakes were felt Friday and Sunday nights.

No damage was apparent, but people reported feeling what was measured as a 2.8 magnitude quake at 9:32 p.m. Friday and a 3.2 magnitude quake at 11:30 p.m. Sunday. Both epicenters were under the Jones area, Holland said.

“This may not be what people want to hear, but these earthquakes that keep happening are helpful as far as learning about them,” he said.

There have been nine local earthquakes this year strong enough for people to feel. The epicenters have been in the Jones area. Last year there were 27.

Tammy Wallace, Jones city clerk, said she felt both Friday and Sunday’s quakes.

“We’re just watching them right now,” Wallace said. “That’s all we can do.”

Six new quake detectors, known as NetQuakes accelerometers, gathered information about the weekend’s quakes. The machines, on loan from the U.S. Geological Survey, were set up this year to help scientists find answers to earthquake activity in the area.

The NetQuakes machines are at Luther Middle School, Jones and Choctaw high schools, Science Museum Oklahoma and at private residences at Wilshire and Luther roads and Westminster and Hefner roads.

Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com