Stephens County, Oklahoma – A small earthquake was recorded Tuesday afternoon in southern Oklahoma, shaking areas near the town of Loco but causing no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
According to the Oklahoma Geological Survey, the earthquake measured magnitude 2.5 and occurred at 3:19 p.m. Central Time (15:19 UTC). The epicenter was located approximately 9 kilometers (about 6 miles) southeast of Loco, in Stephens County, with a depth of about 10.2 kilometers.
Earthquakes of this size are considered minor and are often felt only by people close to the epicenter, particularly indoors or during quiet conditions. As of Tuesday evening, no felt reports had been submitted through the U.S. Geological Survey’s public reporting system.
Southern and central Oklahoma have experienced increased seismic activity over the past decade, much of it linked by researchers to wastewater injection from oil and gas operations. While regulations have reduced the frequency of stronger earthquakes in recent years, small, shallow events like Tuesday’s quake still occur periodically.
The Oklahoma Geological Survey noted the event was automatically detected by the statewide seismic network and reviewed as part of ongoing monitoring efforts. Residents in the area may experience brief rattling, light vibrations, or no noticeable effects at all.
Emergency officials did not issue any alerts, and infrastructure impacts are not expected from an earthquake of this magnitude.
Residents who felt the shaking are encouraged to submit a report to help scientists better understand how earthquakes affect local communities.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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