Latest Earthquakes in the World

[Psalm 51:17]

What Will Happen When The ‘Big One’ Hits California?

On Monday, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake threw the city of Los Angeles into a bit of a tizzy.  The ground shook, people screamed and news anchors ducked under their desks.  But it was just a 4.4 magnitude earthquake.  So what would happen if the “Big One” hit California?  What would happen if an earthquake hundreds of times more powerful than the one that we saw on Monday hit Los Angeles or San Francisco?  We don’t really know what would happen, because nothing like that has happened in modern times.  Fortunately for us, we have been living during a time of extremely low seismic activity in California.  But scientists assure us that will change at some point, and some of them are now warning that when the “Big One” does strike that the devastation could be far worse than people have been imagining.

rest: http://thetruthwins.com/archives/what-will-happen-when-the-big-one-hits-california

I saw that video clip on Yahoo - pretty much, you can tell that even they know deep down inside that the "big one" is imminent(just from the way they reacted).

Yeah, we're at a time now where people's hearts are failing them for fear...

[Mark]

Recent earthquakes in Chile - complete list
Earthquake list: past 30 days (M>=5) (93 quakes) 

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquakes/chile.html

[Psalm 51:17]

M6.5 - 113km E of Mohean, India
2014-03-21 13:41:07 UTC
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usc000njrq#summary

[Psalm 51:17]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/magnitude-earthquake-hits-central-oklahoma-follows-six-other-quakes-friday/article_a9a182a2-b17b-11e3-82ab-0017a43b2370.html
Magnitude 4.0 earthquake hits central Oklahoma, follows six other quakes Friday
3/21/14

A magnitude 4.0 earthquake shook central Oklahoma shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
 
The quake followed two other earthquakes -- a 2.8 and a 2.6 magnitude -- that were centered near Langston just minutes earlier and four other earthquakes ranging from 2.7 to 2.9 magnitude near Guthrie, Yale and Crescent on Friday afternoon and evening, the Geological Survey reported.

That makes seven earthquakes of magnitude 2.6 or greater recorded in the state on Friday.

Since January 2009, more than 200 magnitude 3.0 or greater earthquakes have hit central Oklahoma,— marking a significant rise in the frequency of the seismic events, the Geological Survey reported. A study released last year shows that one to three magnitude 3.0 or greater earthquakes occurred yearly in Oklahoma from 1975 to 2008 but that the average grew to around 40 earthquakes per year from 2009-2013.

Scientists continue to study why the earthquake rate has changed so dramatically throughout this swath of Oklahoma,— including possible links to wastewater disposal related to oil and gas production in the region.

Some researchers and environmental groups have long held that hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," — a process employed by energy companies that involves forcing millions of gallons of water, sand and other additives deep into the ground to free up pockets of natural gas, — is a chief culprit for the rise in earthquake activity throughout Oklahoma and other states.

"It's important to understand that it's not the fracking process that causes these earthquakes," said Bill Leith, the earthquake hazards program coordinator with the U.S. Geological Survey in Reston, Va., who labels the quake swarm affecting central Oklahoma as "unusual."

"During the production from oil and gas activities, there's a lot of wastewater that's generated, and it is that reinjection into rock formations" that could trigger some quakes.

The energy industry has repeatedly denied that the method is to blame for the increase in seismic activity.

[Psalm 51:17]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/rise-in-oklahoma-earthquakes-means-homeowners-may-want-to-consider/article_cc5052d7-88d3-5a3a-bdaa-45b76b8a3139.html
Earthquake insurance: rising concern

Rise in Oklahoma earthquakes means homeowners may want to consider insurance

State officials recommend considering quake coverage
3/22/14

With earthquakes trying to take their place next to tornadoes on Oklahoma's disaster mantel, the state's insurance commissioner is encouraging Oklahomans to investigate if earthquake insurance is for them.

Less than 1 percent of Oklahomans carry earthquake insurance, state Insurance Commissioner John Doak said, for multiple reasons.

For one, he said, most homeowners don't think they'll be affected by earthquakes. However, a recent report stated that Oklahoma is now the second-most seismically active state in the country.

The other reason Doak suspects that earthquake insurance numbers are so low in Oklahoma is that people just don't realize that they're not already covered.

Earthquake insurance isn't covered by traditional homeowners insurance.

"We've been working very hard to do education and awareness," Doak said. "Earthquake insurance is very affordable and accessible, but most people don't know they need it until it's too late."

U.S. Geological Service data show that Oklahoma has seen 83 earthquakes of a 2.5 magnitude or greater between Feb. 21 and March 21, and new quakes are recorded almost every day.

Most of those quakes occur in the central part of the state, on the Nemaha Fault Line, which runs from Omaha, Neb., all the way to Oklahoma City.

The number of quakes in central Oklahoma has increased so much in recent years that Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, has proposed a bill two years in a row that would make it necessary for home insurance companies to educate homeowners on the benefits of earthquake insurance.

The proposal has failed both times, but Shelton anticipates proposing it again as he continues to learn about what's causing the temblors.

"I don't think it's the state's responsibility to force people to buy earthquake insurance," Shelton said. "But I do think it's our responsibility to ensure that people are very aware of if they're covered or not. We are no more a tornado state than we are an earthquake state. ... We have established ourselves as that, and we need to make sure consumers are aware of the pros and cons."

The cause of the uptick in earthquakes isn't known — a 2012 Seismological Society of America report states that the cause likely is man-made, but it didn't pinpoint whether the surge is "related to either changes in extraction methodologies or the rate of oil and gas production."

Doak said he thinks the number of Oklahomans with earthquake insurance will rise as the ground continues to shake.

Another factor that may deter people from purchasing the insurance is that although policies are typically inexpensive — less than $200 a year in most cases — the deductible can be quite high.

"If you have a $100,000 home, and a 10 percent deductible, you're paying $10,000 for repairs," Doak said. "For most Americans, their single largest asset is their home. I think it's very important for consumers to be educated, no matter what part of the state they live in."

Looking into earthquake insurance sooner rather than later may be a good idea, Doak warned.

Many policies typically have a "moratorium" or dead period — some up to 90 days — before they go into effect.

"I think that there are a number of people who think that earthquake damage will never happen to them, but when they try to sell their home, they'll discover that it has," he said.

[Psalm 51:17]

http://www.okcfox.com/story/25046264/9-earthquakes-recorded-in-oklahoma-since-friday
14 earthquakes recorded in Oklahoma since Friday
3/22/14

LANGSTON, Okla. (AP) -- The U.S. Geological Survey has recorded 14 earthquakes in Oklahoma since about 9:30 p.m. Friday, the largest being a magnitude 4.0.

The 4.0 magnitude quake was recorded at 10:05 p.m. Friday about seven miles south of Langston. Three other quakes of magnitude 2.9, 3.0 and 3.3 were recorded Saturday afternoon in the Medford area.

The other quakes ranged from magnitude 2.4 to 2.9.

No injuries or damage are reported.

Geologists say earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 to 3.0 are generally the smallest felt by humans.

Scientists are studying why earthquake activity has increased in Oklahoma and whether it is connected to wastewater disposal related to oil and gas production -- but have found no answers.

The energy industry denies that the method is to blame for the increased seismic activity.

[Psalm 51:17]

Magnitude Mw 6.3
Region OFFSHORE TARAPACA, CHILE
Date time 2014-03-23 18:20:04.0 UTC
Location 19.90 S ; 70.90 W
Depth 30 km
Distances 476 km SW of La Paz, Bolivia / pop: 812,799 / local time: 14:20:04.0 2014-03-23
87 km NW of Iquique, Chile / pop: 227,499 / local time: 14:20:04.0 2014-03-23

http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=367020

[Mark]

Chileans worry over string of 300 quakes in north

More than 300 earthquakes have shaken Chile's far-northern coast the past week, keeping people on edge as scientists say there is no way to tell if the unusual string of tremors is a harbinger of an impending disaster. The unnerving activity began with a strong magnitude-6.7 quake on March 16 that caused more than 100,000 people to briefly evacuate low-lying areas, although no tsunami materialized and there was little physical damage from the shaking.   

http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/Chileans-worry-over-string-of-300-quakes-in-north-5345915.php

[Mark]

KGW: Swarm of quakes recorded around Government Camp

KGW reported Wednesday that more than 30 small earthquakes have rattled the ground under the Mount Hood community since Sunday. None have been big, but they have “captured the attention of state geologists and rattled the nerves of some nearby residents,” the Portland television station reported. According to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, the largest of the quakes measured 2.3 on the Richter magnitude scale. Some were as small as 0.3 But KGW said that it’s the location of the quakes, not their size, that has scientists taking note. They are along a newly discovered fault.   

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/03/kgw_swarm_of_quakes_recorded_a.html

[Mark]

5.1 MAG QUAKE ROCKS LOS ANGELES
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-51-earthquake-causes-damage-some-flee-from-homes-20140329,0,522498.story

Dozens of aftershocks throughout night...
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/53-Quake-Strikes-Near-LaHabra-253002771.html

[Mark]

5.1 MAG QUAKE ROCKS LOS ANGELES
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-51-earthquake-causes-damage-some-flee-from-homes-20140329,0,522498.story

Dozens of aftershocks throughout night...
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/53-Quake-Strikes-Near-LaHabra-253002771.html

There are have been more than 100 aftershocks as a result of Friday's 5.1 magnitude earthquake in Los Angeles, USGS Geophysicist Paul Caruso says - @NBCNews

[Mark]

12 Signs That Something Big Is Happening To The Earth’s Crust Under North And South America

Why are fault lines and volcanoes all over North and South America suddenly waking up?  Are we moving into a time when major earthquakes and volcanic eruptions will become much more common?  For the past several decades, we have been extremely fortunate to have experienced a period of extremely low seismic activity along the west coast of the United States.  You see, the west coast lies right along the infamous Ring of Fire.  Approximately 75 percent of all the volcanoes in the world are on the Ring of Fire, and approximately 90 percent of all global earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire.  Scientists tell us that it is inevitable that "the Big One" will hit California someday, but people have gotten very apathetic about this because things have been so quiet out there for so many years.  Well, now it appears that things are changing in a big way - and not just along the California coast.  The following are 12 signs that something big is happening to the earth's crust under North and South America...

#1 The 5.1 earthquake that shook Los Angeles on Friday was the worst earthquake that the city had seen in many years.

#2 Following that earthquake, there were more than 100 aftershocks.

#3 A 4.1 earthquake shook Los Angeles on Saturday.  Scientists are hoping that this earthquake swarm in southern California will end soon.

#4 Earlier this month, a 4.4 earthquake rattled Los Angeles so badly that it caused news anchors to dive under their desks.

#5 A 6.9 earthquake just off the coast of northern California in early March was the largest earthquake to hit the west coast of the United States since 2010.

#6 Up in Oregon, Mt. Hood recently experienced more than 100 earthquakes over the course of just a few days.

#7 During the past month, there have also been some other very unusual geologic events that have been happening up in Oregon...

    Two large landslides – one in the Columbia River Gorge dumped about 2,000 cubic yards of rock and debris on highway I84 just 3 miles west of the Hood River, and another blocked US30 near Portland.

    Loud booms and ground shaking reported by people from Lincoln to Tillamook Counties; some reported hearing a rumble, as well (No earthquakes recorded by the USGS in the area at the time.)

    A 20 ft. deep sinkhole swallowed a woman and her dog in her Portland backyard.

#8 A 4.8 earthquake rattled Yellowstone National Park on Sunday, and there have been at least 25 earthquakes at Yellowstone since Thursday.

#9 Scientists recently discovered that the Yellowstone supervolcano is now releasing far more helium gas than they had anticipated.

#10 Over the past month, there have been more than 130 earthquakes in the state of Oklahoma.  This is highly unusual.

#11 There have been several dozen earthquakes in Peru over the past month, including a 6.3 earthquake that made headlines all over the globe.

#12 Earlier this month, the northern coast of Chile was hit by more than 300 earthquakes in a seven day stretch.  41 of those earthquakes were stronger than magnitude 4.5.

Fortunately, the quake that hit Los Angeles on Friday did not cause too much lasting injury.  But it sure did shake people up.  The following is how the Los Angeles Times described the damage...

    The quake, centered near La Habra, caused furniture to tumble, pictures to fall off walls and glass to break. Merchandise fell off store shelves, and there were reports of plate glass windows shattered.

    In Brea, several people suffered minor injuries during a rock slide that overturned their car. Fullerton reported seven water main breaks. Carbon Canyon Road was closed.

    Residents across Orange and Los Angeles counties and the Inland Empire reported swinging chandeliers, fireplaces dislodging from walls and lots of rattled nerves. The shake caused a rock slide in Carbon Canyon, causing a car to overturn, according to the Brea Police Department.

Why this particular earthquake is of such concern is because it occurred along the Puente Hills fault line.  According to one seismologist, this is the fault line that would be most likely to "eat L.A."...

    Experts said that the earthquakes occurred on the Puente Hills thrust fault, which stretches from the San Gabriel Valley to downtown Los Angeles.

    Last night's quake was shallow, which 'means the shaking is very concentrated in a small area,' said Caltech seismologist Egill Hauksson.

    Hauksson revealed that the earthquake was unusual because the 5.1 quake was preceded by the weaker foreshock.

    Scientists such as Hauksson are very concerned about the Puente Hills fault because it runs directly under downtown Los Angeles.

    'This is the fault that could eat L.A.,' seismologist Sue Hough told The LA Times in 2003.

The fact that this fault appears to be waking up is really bad news.

According to seismologists, a major earthquake along this fault line could cause hundreds of billions of dollars of damage...

    Video simulations of a rupture on the Puente Hills fault system show how energy from a quake could erupt and be funneled toward L.A.'s densest neighborhoods, with the strongest waves rippling to the west and south across the Los Angeles Basin.

    According to estimates by the USGS and Southern California Earthquake Center, a massive quake on the Puente Hills fault could kill from 3,000 to 18,000 people and cause up to $250 billion in damage. Under this worst-case scenario, people in as many as three-quarters of a million households would be left homeless.

For years, we have watched as the rest of the Ring of Fire has been absolutely ravaged by major seismic events.

We all remember the earthquakes that caused the Indonesian tsunami of 2004 and the Japanese tsunami of 2011.

And the world mourned when major earthquakes devastated New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Japan and the Philippines.

Scientists assured us that it was only a matter of time before the west coast started to become seismically active again, and now it is happening.

If you live on the west coast, I hope that you will consider these things very carefully.

Just because the earth under your feet has been relatively quiet for a very long time does not mean that it will always be that way.

Something big appears to be happening to the earth's crust, and you won't want to be in the "danger zone" when things finally break loose.

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/12-signs-that-something-big-is-happening-to-the-earths-crust-under-north-and-south-america

[Psalm 51:17]

#13 - blood cried out from the land when Cain killed Abel. Just imagine ALL of the blood crying out from the land over millions of babies being aborted, and to boot all of the sodomy hitting the land.

[Psalm 51:17]

http://www.krmg.com/news/news/local/latest-oklahoma-earthquake-felt-tulsa-area/nfNtk/
3/30/14
Latest Oklahoma earthquake felt in Tulsa area

An early Sunday morning earthquake could be felt in the Tulsa area.

U.S. Geological Survey say the 4.3 magnitude quake struck 27 miles west of Stillwater around 1:51 a.m.

One KRMG listener tells us they could feel the shaking from the third floor of Hillcrest Hospital.

Despite of the wide spread shaking, the USGS say there have been no reports of any damage or injuries.

[Psalm 51:17]

http://news.yahoo.com/massive-8-0-quake-off-chile-sparks-tsunami-003008422--sector.html
Massive 8.0 quake off Chile coast sparks tsunami
4/1/14

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - A major earthquake of magnitude 8.0 struck off the coast of Chile on Tuesday, triggering a tsunami that hit the northern part of the country and a tsunami warning for all of South and Central America's Pacific coast.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was very shallow, only 6.2 miles below the seabed, and struck at 6:46 p.m. local time (2346 GMT) 62 miles northwest of the mining port of Iquique, near the Peruvian border.

The Chilean navy said the first tsunami wave had hit the coast within 45 minutes of the quake.

"An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

Iquique is a key copper exporting port, close to the country's main copper mines. Mining companies Codelco and BHP Billiton said that had not yet received reports of damage to mines.

The warning said that aside from Chile, the coasts of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua were also at risk. A tsunami of up to 6.3 feet could strike the town of Pisagua, Chile, within 44 minutes of the quake, it said.

In 2010, an 8.8-magnitude quake triggered a tsunami that caused major damage in several coastal towns in central-south Chile and killed hundreds of people.

(Reporting by Santiago bureau; Addtional reporting by Sandra Maler in Washington; Editing by Peter Cooney and Lisa Shumaker)

[Mark]

Magnitude 6.2 earthquake hits Panama, USGS reports - @Reuters

contractions are getting closer

[Psalm 51:17]

Romans 9:22  What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Rom 9:23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Rom 9:24  Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

[Mark]

Earthquake: M 5.4 - 43km WSW of Iquique, Chile

[Psalm 51:17]

Earthquake: M 5.4 - 43km WSW of Iquique, Chile

Aftershock

[Mark]

Scientists Assure Us That The Recent Earthquakes On The Ring Of Fire Are Not RelatedScientists Assure Us That The Recent Earthquakes On The Ring Of Fire Are Not Related

We just had a tsunami-triggering 8.2 earthquake off of Chile’s north coast, a 5.8 earthquake off the coast of Panama, a 5.1 earthquake in southern California, and a dormant volcano in Peru has awakened for the first time in 40 years, but scientists assure us that none of these events are related and that we don’t have anything to be concerned about.  Even though all of these events took place on the Ring of Fire, which is the most seismically-active area of the entire planet, the “experts” promise us that “the odds are overwhelming” that they are not related to one another.  So do you believe them?  A few days ago, I wrote an article entitled “12 Signs That Something Big Is Happening To The Earth’s Crust Under North And South America“.  This was before the earthquakes that struck off the coasts of Chile and Panama.  It appeared to me,

(Read More...) http://thetruthwins.com/archives/scientists-assure-us-that-the-recent-earthquakes-on-the-ring-of-fire-are-not-related

[Psalm 51:17]

but scientists assure us that none of these events are related and that we don’t have anything to be concerned about.

They won't be reacting this way when the 6th seal in Rev 6 gets opened...

[Kilika]

Don't matter whether they are related or not. They happened. So why are they so quick to say they aren't related? Hmm. Standard, "Nothing to see here, move along!"

[Mark]

Chile Rocked Again by Powerful Earthquake:The 7.8-magnitude temblor — the largest of a series of aftershocks following a massive and deadly 8.2-magnitude earthquake that hit late Tuesday

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/chile-rocked-again-powerful-earthquake-n70456

[Kilika]

At some point, you'd think Chileans would be considering a move to some place more stable! How many times should people help them rebuild and clean up after an earthquake there? At some point, I'm thinking those people need to be left to themselves and just labeled stupid.

It's like those clowns in California that keep building houses on cliffs and complain when a mudslide wipes out their homes. Simply stupid!

[Psalm 51:17]

Chile Rocked Again by Powerful Earthquake:The 7.8-magnitude temblor — the largest of a series of aftershocks following a massive and deadly 8.2-magnitude earthquake that hit late Tuesday

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/chile-rocked-again-powerful-earthquake-n70456

Again??

Seriously - considering all that is happening elsewhere like this, I'm rather surprise America has been spared(up till now, that is).

[Mark]

3.1-magnitude earthquake reported about 8 miles west of Malibu, California - USGS via @NBCLA

[Psalm 51:17]

3.1-magnitude earthquake reported about 8 miles west of Malibu, California - USGS via @NBCLA

There seems to be a lot of those in California lately.

[Psalm 51:17]

http://news.yahoo.com/aftershocks-rattle-chile-military-keeps-order-145207621.html
Aftershocks rattle Chile as military keeps order
4/3/14

IQUIQUE, Chile (AP) — Coastal residents of Chile's far north spent a second sleepless night outside their homes as major aftershocks continued Thursday following a magnitude-8.2 earthquake that damaged several thousand homes and caused six deaths.

No new major damage or casualties were reported, and a heavy police and military presence kept order.

The infrastructure in the area is nearly entirely intact, but with aftershocks continuing, life has been anything but normal. Power remains out in many areas, and hospitals were handling only emergencies. Schools were closed, and large supermarkets and gas stations coordinated their reopenings Thursday with police and military to avoid problems with long lines of customers.

After a magnitude-7.6 aftershock struck just before midnight Wednesday, Chile's Emergency Office and navy issued a tsunami alert, and for two hours ordered everyone living in low-lying areas along the country's entire 2,500-mile (4,000-kilometer) Pacific coastline to evacuate.

Among those moved inland was President Michelle Bachelet, who was in the city of Arica assessing damage in the north from Tuesday night's powerful quake.

"I was evacuated like all citizens. One can see that the people are prepared," she tweeted early Thursday.

Chile's evacuation order was lifted at around 2 a.m. Thursday. Some 900,000 people also were affected the night before when the entire coast was evacuated for several hours after Tuesday's bigger quake, although the tsunami proved small.

A 6.1-magnitude aftershock 47 miles (76 kms) southwest of Iquique shook the area again late Thursday.

The repeated aftershocks have shaken buildings and sent people running into the streets in the port of Iquique, the largest city closest to the epicenter. About 45 minutes before the 7.6 quake, a magnitude-6.5 aftershock also rattled Iquique. The shaking loosened more landslides near Alto Hospicio, a poor area at the entrance to Iquique where about 2,500 homes had been damaged in Tuesday's larger quake.

The Ministry of Education suspended classes again in schools in the north for Thursday, while the region's top prosecutor, Manuel Guerra, said his office is taking action against speculators who sharply raised prices for bread, water, milk and diapers. "They will be detained and charged," Guerra tweeted, calling on the community to denounce "intolerable" abuses.

The largest aftershock was felt across the border in southern Peru, where people in the cities of Tacna and Arequipa fled buildings in fear. Police Lt. Freddy Cuela in Tacna said no damage or injuries were reported. Peru's navy tweeted a tsunami alert for the country's extreme southern coast, which is next to the Chilean region hit by the quakes.

Authorities have reported six deaths, but didn't rule out the possibility others could have been killed in older structures made of adobe in remote communities that weren't immediately accessible.

The tsunami after Tuesday night's quake caused the sea to rise only 8 feet (2.5 meters) in Iquique, but that was enough to sink and damage many fishing boats, lifting some onto city streets and piling others up in the harbor.

Still, as Bachelet deployed hundreds of anti-riot police and soldiers to prevent looting and round up escaped prisoners, it was clear the loss of life and property could have been much worse.

The mandatory evacuations have been announced through cellphone text messages and Twitter, and reinforced by blaring sirens in neighborhoods where people regularly practice earthquake drills. But many Chileans have not downloaded the smartphone application that can alert them to evacuation orders, and some communities still lack warning sirens.

Chile is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, and tsunamis are a particular danger because the fault zone lies just offshore, where the Nazca tectonic plate plunges beneath the South American plate.

[Psalm 51:17]

4 earthquake 89 km S of Athens, Greece April 4, 2014
http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=369829

[Psalm 51:17]

http://news.yahoo.com/series-small-earthquakes-rock-oklahoma-record-seismic-activity-173349780.html
4/5/14
Series of small earthquakes rock Oklahoma in record seismic activity

Reuters) - Earthquakes rattled residents in Oklahoma on Saturday, the latest in a series that have put the state on track for record quake activity this year, which some seismologists say may be tied to oil and gas exploration.

One earthquake recorded at 3.8 magnitude by the U.S. Geological Survey rocked houses in several communities around central Oklahoma at 7:42 a.m. local time. Another about two hours earlier in the same part of the state, north of Oklahoma City, was recorded at 2.9 magnitude, USGS said.

Those two were preceded by two more, at 2.6 magnitude, and 2.5 magnitude, that also rolled the landscape in central Oklahoma early Saturday morning. A 3.0 magnitude tremor struck late Friday night in that area as well, following a 3.4 magnitude hit Friday afternoon.

Austin Holland, a seismologist with the Oklahoma Geological Survey who tracks earthquake activity for the USGS, said the earthquake activity in the state is soaring.

"We have had almost as many magnitude 3 and greater already in 2014 than we did for all of 2013," Holland said.

Last year's number of "felt" earthquakes - those strong enough to rattle items on a shelf - hit a record 222 in the state. This year, less than four months into the year, the state has recorded 253 such tremors, according to state seismic data.

"We have already crushed last year's record for number of earthquakes," Holland said.

Most earthquakes occur naturally. But scientists have long linked some small earthquakes to oil and gas work underground, which can alter pressure points and cause shifts in the earth.

**Either way, the earth's crust has weakened tremendously - this likely wouldn't have happened 20 years ago if there was oil and gas work underground then.

Oil and gas exploration has increased in recent years across the country, spurred by U.S. efforts for energy independence. Modern hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is one particularly controversial technique.

For bigger quakes, so far this year the state has recorded 106 at 3.0 magnitude and above, according to Holland. For all of last year the state had 109 at 3.0 and above.

In November 2011, Oklahoma suffered a 5.6 magnitude quake that damaged more than a dozen homes and several businesses.

Wastewater disposal related to the fracking is suspected by many scientists to contribute to the earthquake activity. Millions of gallons of wastewater are typically trucked from a fracking site to wells where the water is injected thousands of feet underground into porous rock layers. That work, if done near a fault, can trigger larger quakes, according to several recent scientific studies.

Oklahoma recorded 278 earthquakes from 2008 through 2013 that have registered on the Richter scale at a magnitude of 3.0 or greater, a level that can shake objects inside a home.

Before that, from 1975-2008, the state on average recorded less than six earthquakes a year.