Small earthquakes recorded in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas

Several earthquakes have been recorded in the past week in northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas where there is a heavy presence of oil and gas operations.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey have linked many of the quakes to wastewater disposal well activity.

One of the latest was Thursday night at the state line where a 2.5 magnitude quake was recorded with an epicenter about 5 miles southeast of Caldwell, Kansas.

A Thursday quake was also recorded with an epicenter about 5 miles northeast of Harper, Kansas also near the state line. It was stronger and measured 3.1 magnitude. The area had recorded quakes on Sept., 7 and 8 near Harper and Anthony, Kansas but they had magnitudes of 2.5 and 2.7 respectively.

Northern Oklahoma has had its share of quakes in the past week with the strongest, 3.7 magnitude recorded Sept. 8 with an epicenter located about 20 miles northwest of Fairview. A day later, a 3.3 magnitude quake was recorded in the same area.

On Sept. 10, a 2.6 magnitude quake was recorded north of Krebs in southeast Oklahoma. Its epicenter was about 10 miles north of the town.

A day later, a 3.3 magnitude quake was recorded with an epicenter 16 miles west of Perry.

All were in regions where there is extensive oil and gas operations.

Not to be outdone, west Texas, site of the Permian Basin recorded a quake on Friday morning. It measured 2.5 magnitude with an epicenter 5 miles south of Pecos, Texas.