Many Oklahoma earthquakes make a ‘boom’ sound
UPDATE: 11/4/13 10:05 pm - Another earthquake just hit the Edmond/Jones area. This one was a 4.0.
OKLAHOMA COUNTY — There was a lot of talk this weekend about those earthquakes. Many people reported not only feeling the rattle, but hearing a loud noise accompanying the quakes.
It’s that boom which has many asking the question, why are Oklahoma earthquakes so loud.
Often when we think of earthquakes, we see videos of quakes around the world. The shaking of items off shelves and the knocking people down come to mind.
However, when it comes to Oklahoma earthquakes many people say it’s not the shaking but the sound that is unnerving.
Doug Gregory, who lives close to where a number of the earthquakes happened over the weekend, said, “It’s kind of like a thunderstorm going over but you know that’s not happening.”
Mr. Gregory said he felt several over the weekend.
Amie Gibson with the Oklahoma Geological Survey says so far this month Oklahoma has had at least 65 earthquakes. A couple of the largest earthquakes took place this weekend in the area of Memorial Road and Post Road.
Dozens more were recorded just a mile or two away in the area between Midwest Boulevard and Douglas and Northeast 122nd and Memorial Road.
Gibson said, “When it comes in and people are saying it sounds like a truck hit my house or a loud boom outside essentially the earth is acting like a big speaker.”
Gibson says the sound comes from the first wave that comes through, sort of like a sound wave. The earthquake bounces off of the Earth causing that boom.
She says the sight we commonly see, things shaking around, is actually from what’s called the S-wave. Gibson says that wave is what causes damage.
Gibson said, “I really wish we could say no there’s not a bigger one coming, but it’s foolish to think we could guess that.”
While it is unnerving, those who live in the areas where the earthquakes have been very active say it could always be worse.
Mr. Gregory said, “Kind of one of those deals. Tornadoes are worse than this.”
The Oklahoma Geological Survey says many earthquakes in Oklahoma come with a boom, some louder than others.
Tuesday is the anniversary of the largest earthquake to hit our state. The geological survey says it is simply a strange coincidence to have so much activity so close to that anniversary.