CHEROKEE, Okla. – Many Oklahomans were awakened Thursday morning by the largest earthquake the state has seen this year.
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded near Cheokee around 1:42 a.m.
4.7 – OKLAHOMA: Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2015 07:42:12 UTC Lat/Lon: 36.661/-98… https://t.co/FD6Qu2NhFJ #USGS #earthquake
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGSEarthquakes) November 19, 2015
Many people called the KFOR newsroom saying they felt it in the metro, down south near the Red River, and up near Tulsa.
@kfor huge earthquake in Tonkawa. Shook a picture off the wall.
— Derek Sinor (@onlythestrong75) November 19, 2015
@kfor BIGGEST EARTHQUAKE I'VE EVER HEARD & FELT😳 N Council & Wilshire Area!
— Debbie Brodeur-Long (@debbie_long_1) November 19, 2015
The earthquake was so large it showed up on radar!
The National Weather Service tweeted out a picture that shows birds flying away due to the earthquake.
225a: This morning's earthquake shook the birds from their roosts! #okquake #okwx pic.twitter.com/nxZnyn2LyG
— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) November 19, 2015
Following the massive earthquake, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Oil and Gas Conservation Division announced that it would implement a plan to change the oil and gas wastewater disposal wells in the area.
The commission is asking for two disposal wells to stop operations in the Arbuckle area and for 23 others to reduce their disposed volumes.
In all, experts say the wells will reduce their wastewater disposal by 41 percent.
Also, disposal wells within 10 to 15 miles of the earthquake activity are being placed on notice to prepare for possible changes.