Earthquakes Near Oklahoma City Today
Live answer from USGS data — every earthquake within 150 km (93 mi) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Checking live USGS data near Oklahoma City…
Why Oklahoma City gets earthquakes
Oklahoma City became an unlikely earthquake hotspot in the 2010s, when wastewater injection from oil and gas operations reactivated ancient basement faults. At the 2015 peak, Oklahoma recorded more M3+ quakes than California — including the 2011 Prague M5.7 and the 2016 Pawnee M5.8, the state's largest ever.
After regulators cut injection volumes, quake rates fell sharply, but they remain well above the pre-2009 background. The Nemaha fault zone runs near the metro, and the 2016 Cushing M5.0 hit dangerously close to the country's largest oil storage hub an hour northeast.
Oklahoma City earthquake FAQ
▸Did Oklahoma City just have an earthquake?
The live panel at the top of this page checks the USGS catalog for every earthquake within 150 km of Oklahoma City and answers in one line. Keep in mind USGS data lags real shaking by roughly 2–3 minutes in California and up to ~8 minutes in other regions — if you felt something seconds ago, refresh shortly.
▸What faults cause earthquakes near Oklahoma City?
Most Oklahoma City-area quakes occur on ancient basement faults, such as those in the Nemaha fault zone, reactivated by wastewater injection. The largest recent events were the 2011 Prague M5.7, 2016 Pawnee M5.8, and 2016 Cushing M5.0.
▸What magnitude earthquake can you feel in Oklahoma City, OK?
Close to the epicenter, people typically begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 2.5–3.0. An M4+ is felt across a wide area and rattles objects; M5+ can damage buildings near the epicenter. Shallow quakes feel stronger than deep ones of the same magnitude, and soft soils amplify shaking.
▸What should I do if I feel an earthquake in Oklahoma City?
Drop, Cover, and Hold On — get low, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until shaking stops. Afterward, check for hazards like gas leaks, and expect possible aftershocks. If you're in a coastal area and the shaking is strong or lasts a long time, move inland or to high ground. Official guidance: ready.gov/earthquakes.