Anyone have any current earthquake coverage endorsement info they could share?

Just called liberty mutual and the endorsement would be $209 annually with a 15% of total coverage deductible. Its the high deductible that has me always deciding against the coverage so far.

Examples: $250,000 home ($37.5K deductible) $500,000 home ($75k deductible)

I have my insurance with them and earthquake with the same 15% deductible. As a line item it didn't cost nearly that much. We're paying $.19 per thousand dollars of covered structure value. (We have home and several outbuildings covered.)

I discussed the high deductible with my commercial insurance broker and she said that was very common if not standard for Oklahoma, that I would be lucky to change insurance and find different terms or possibly even get a new policy with the restriction on writing a policy within some time limit of the most recent earthquake. But I talked to a friend who says he had no trouble getting his house covered with a better deal. I don't recall who his is with. I had State Farm before Liberty. Did have earthquake insurance. It was pretty cheap. It did not cover masonry. I do not remember if the deducible was high but they priced themselves out of the market two years ago overall and we switched to Liberty.

We've had two claims this last year with Liberty. Hail in the spring and an ice storm. No hassle at all dealing with them but hail and wind have a 1% deductible. It will be interesting to see what happens with premiums next renewal.

With Farmers, we had to wait 30 days after that "big one" in 2011. And there couldn't be any significant activity in that time. The deductible at that time was $3500. With our recent review, we downsized some things and switched some things around on the policy to save on our premiums, but EQ deductible went up to $5000. There is a cap on the payout but I'll have to go back over the paperwork for the exact figure.

Interesting to compare terms here. Some have masonry repairs covered, some don't, some have limits to how much they will pay on masonry repairs. (I have two very large and tall chimneys and a mix of brick veneer siding on the rest of the house. I expect the chimneys would be the first thing to go if there was much of a shake.)

https://www.ok.gov/oid/Consumers/Insurance_Basics/Home_Insurance_Policy_Forms.html

And then there's this. I don't think I got a notice.


Companies writing earthquake insurance in Oklahoma have reacted to the flurry of earthquakes in various ways. Some have amended their policy forms to cover damage resulting from wastewater injection. Others have simply been waiving the man-made exclusion. A third group still excludes quakes induced by wastewater injection.

Insurers providing earthquake coverage have 45 days to issue a clarifying notice to policyholders and licensed insurance agents. The notice must contain the following:

EARTHQUAKES RESULTING FROM OIL AND GAS ACTIVITIES

Subject to all policy provisions, the coverage provided by this policy (IS) or (IS NOT) intended to cover earthquake damage resulting from:

a. extracting oil or gas from below the earth’s surface by any process, including but not limited to hydraulic fracturing or drilling; or

b. injecting or inserting any substance, including but not limited to, water and wastewater, below the earth’s surface for any purpose; or

c. storage of any substance, including but not limited to, water and wastewater below the earth’s surface for any purpose; or

d. any combination of a. – c. above.

Oklahoma Insurers Required to Clarify Earthquake Coverage (http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/southcentral/2015/10/22/266512.htm)

Shouldn't this be in the political thread ?

Bellaboo,

I believe the post to be appropriately categorized as the topic of this thread is "Oklahoma Earthquake Discussion." It appears to be an open forum for all issues related to earthquakes, including but not limited to the the political issues associated with earthquakes. The thread is not limited to the geology or science of earthquakes but appears to be more broad based for general commentary.

I noticed you didn't suggest the numerous posts related to insurance coverage be moved to the Insurance thread. I'm respectfully curious if you or someone in your family is employed either directly or indirectly with the energy industry. I'm not against the energy companies, I'm simply for responsible regulation where the people are protected as much as the companies. In my opinion, we should protect those who could be harmed through no fault of their own over increased profit to a business or individual. We may disagree, but please keep the discussion open.

Bellaboo,

I believe the post to be appropriately categorized as the topic of this thread is "Oklahoma Earthquake Discussion." It appears to be an open forum for all issues related to earthquakes, including but not limited to the the political issues associated with earthquakes. The thread is not limited to the geology or science of earthquakes but appears to be more broad based for general commentary.

I noticed you didn't suggest the numerous posts related to insurance coverage be moved to the Insurance thread. I'm respectfully curious if you or someone in your family is employed either directly or indirectly with the energy industry. I'm not against the energy companies, I'm simply for responsible regulation where the people are protected as much as the companies. In my opinion, we should protect those who could be harmed through no fault of their own over increased profit to a business or individual. We may disagree, but please keep the discussion open.
Disclaimer: I am not, nor is anyone in my family, either directly or indirectly employed with the energy industry.

Politics is politics and belongs in the Politics Forum. Politics is quite distinct from any other kind/type of discussion about a topic within a forum. Most frequently, passion and blind allegiance to a political position supersedes a rational and reasoned and civil discourse, which is why the political aspects of any topic should be diverted to the Politics Forum for the oft-unpleasant, heated rhetoric by opposing intransigent ideologues.

Darn. Unfortunately, the Guthrie-Edmond hot spot for earthquakes is acting up again when the Oklahoma Legislature isn't yet in session.

11986

A friends chimney toppled over.

Bellaboo,

I believe the post to be appropriately categorized as the topic of this thread is "Oklahoma Earthquake Discussion." It appears to be an open forum for all issues related to earthquakes, including but not limited to the the political issues associated with earthquakes. The thread is not limited to the geology or science of earthquakes but appears to be more broad based for general commentary.

I noticed you didn't suggest the numerous posts related to insurance coverage be moved to the Insurance thread. I'm respectfully curious if you or someone in your family is employed either directly or indirectly with the energy industry. I'm not against the energy companies, I'm simply for responsible regulation where the people are protected as much as the companies. In my opinion, we should protect those who could be harmed through no fault of their own over increased profit to a business or individual. We may disagree, but please keep the discussion open.

Energy industry or not - This is NOT the politics forum, please do not ruin this thread with a political position. Insurance coverage, why complain when we all might learn something from it ?

Bellaboo,

I believe the post to be appropriately categorized as the topic of this thread is "Oklahoma Earthquake Discussion." It appears to be an open forum for all issues related to earthquakes, including but not limited to the the political issues associated with earthquakes. The thread is not limited to the geology or science of earthquakes but appears to be more broad based for general commentary.

I noticed you didn't suggest the numerous posts related to insurance coverage be moved to the Insurance thread. I'm respectfully curious if you or someone in your family is employed either directly or indirectly with the energy industry. I'm not against the energy companies, I'm simply for responsible regulation where the people are protected as much as the companies. In my opinion, we should protect those who could be harmed through no fault of their own over increased profit to a business or individual. We may disagree, but please keep the discussion open.

Brownwood,

The forum below was created under the politics section for discussing the political aspects of the Earthquakes, regulations, etc. It was created when this thread got too heated and the conversation became too emotion fueled last year. That is where your original post and subsequent discussion of it should reside.

http://www.okctalk.com/politics/38312-political-discussion-oklahoma-earthquakes-14.html

Darn. Unfortunately, the Guthrie-Edmond hot spot for earthquakes is acting up again when the Oklahoma Legislature isn't yet in session.

Sucker woke me up this morning.

Interesting to compare terms here. Some have masonry repairs covered, some don't, some have limits to how much they will pay on masonry repairs. (I have two very large and tall chimneys and a mix of brick veneer siding on the rest of the house. I expect the chimneys would be the first thing to go if there was much of a shake.)

https://www.ok.gov/oid/Consumers/Insurance_Basics/Home_Insurance_Policy_Forms.html

And then there's this. I don't think I got a notice.


Companies writing earthquake insurance in Oklahoma have reacted to the flurry of earthquakes in various ways. Some have amended their policy forms to cover damage resulting from wastewater injection. Others have simply been waiving the man-made exclusion. A third group still excludes quakes induced by wastewater injection.

Insurers providing earthquake coverage have 45 days to issue a clarifying notice to policyholders and licensed insurance agents. The notice must contain the following:

EARTHQUAKES RESULTING FROM OIL AND GAS ACTIVITIES

Subject to all policy provisions, the coverage provided by this policy (IS) or (IS NOT) intended to cover earthquake damage resulting from:

a. extracting oil or gas from below the earth’s surface by any process, including but not limited to hydraulic fracturing or drilling; or

b. injecting or inserting any substance, including but not limited to, water and wastewater, below the earth’s surface for any purpose; or

c. storage of any substance, including but not limited to, water and wastewater below the earth’s surface for any purpose; or

d. any combination of a. – c. above.

Oklahoma Insurers Required to Clarify Earthquake Coverage (http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/southcentral/2015/10/22/266512.htm)

To follow up on this...I found out at lunch we did get a letter from Liberty a couple of weeks ago saying, in so many words, our coverage does include damage related to oil and gas extraction, drilling, fracing, and waste water injection.

Is everyone else feeling all these aftershocks? I've been feeling them all day.

Is everyone else feeling all these aftershocks? I've been feeling them all day.

I did earlier today - was just on a conf. call with a guy who said his 60 inch TV, pictures and stuff on shelves came down with the one early this morning. Lives at 122nd and Macarthur.

So, how will they prove that it wasn't natural? And if it wasn't natural, wouldn't the company who cause it have to pay out somehow?

i thought insurance coverage typically turns on whether the loss is fortuitous (your loss is covered) or non-fortuitious (your loss is not covered). if that's true, whether a loss is the product of man or nature is really immaterial to the central question of fortuity.

let's take the example of someone crashing into your vehicle. The insurer doesn't care whether the natural conditions of the road or the other driver's negligence resulted in the crash. The thing that matters is whether the crash was an accident (covered) or intentional (not-covered).

I can see how the insurers would like to paint these earthquakes as man-made, intentional acts. But I have some difficulty accepting the idea that a reasonably prudent operator would intend to induce earthquakes. The potential liability is simply too large.

i thought insurance coverage typically turns on whether the loss is fortuitous (your loss is covered) or non-fortuitious (your loss is not covered). if that's true, whether a loss is the product of man or nature is really immaterial to the central question of fortuity.

let's take the example of someone crashing into your vehicle. The insurer doesn't care whether the natural conditions of the road or the other driver's negligence resulted in the crash. The thing that matters is whether the crash was an accident (covered) or intentional (not-covered).

I can see how the insurers would like to paint these earthquakes as man-made, intentional acts. But I have some difficulty accepting the idea that a reasonably prudent operator would intend to induce earthquakes. The potential liability is simply too large.

Well, I don't think any company wants to induce earthquakes. The insurance company wouldn't want to pay as it wasn't 'natural'.

I think the better example would be if a tree branch falls on your car, or if your neighbor cuts his tree down and it falls on your car. One is covered, the other is the liability of your neighbor. Now, most likely your insurance would cover then go after your neighbor somehow?

In regards with earthquakes, it is easier for the insurance company to go after an individual than it is to go after an O&G company. Would the insurance company go to battle for you? The mortgage company wants to protect it's investment... Would they force your insurance to pay?

Reason I ask, there are some insurance companies not wanting to cover 'man-induced' earthquakes (reasonable). But, who gets the short end of the stick? Probably the group the doesn't have a lot lawyers backing them up.

Brownwood,

The forum below was created under the politics section for discussing the political aspects of the Earthquakes, regulations, etc. It was created when this thread got too heated and the conversation became too emotion fueled last year. That is where your original post and subsequent discussion of it should reside.

http://www.okctalk.com/politics/38312-political-discussion-oklahoma-earthquakes-14.html


PhiAlpha,

Thank you for addressing this issue. I was unaware of the heated conversation last year and the creation of a new forum. I'm simply concerned about this issue and how it affects our community. I'll use the link in the future.

Bellaboo,

I apologize if I offended you for asking if you were affiliated with the energy industry, it seems relevant to understand someone's motivation when discussing an issue. Thanks for avoiding a direct answer.

This was the strongest one I've felt. I initially thought that one of my kids had come in my bedroom and were jumping on the bed. I spent a short time this morning, walking around the house looking for any evidence or damage of said quake. I was pretty disappointed, when I found a thin (but very noticeable) hairline crack about 16 inches long in my garage. Its right at the corner of a doorway, and runs right up to the major brace that seems to support the majority of my 2nd floor. (I'm not an engineer..so, don't know the correct terminology.) But I also checked the DVR on my security cameras....and it was very noticeable. (almost comical)

PhiAlpha,

Thank you for addressing this issue. I was unaware of the heated conversation last year and the creation of a new forum. I'm simply concerned about this issue and how it affects our community. I'll use the link in the future.


No problem. The new thread got buried in the politics section so it was easy to miss!

I've been feeling aftershocks all day. The most recent was just a few minutes ago. Did this happen after the 2011 quake?

I've been feeling aftershocks all day. The most recent was just a few minutes ago. Did this happen after the 2011 quake?

Not in Stillwater. I only noticed the strongest after shock. But then some people seem more sensitive to earthquakes than others.

This was the strongest one I've felt. I initially thought that one of my kids had come in my bedroom and were jumping on the bed. I spent a short time this morning, walking around the house looking for any evidence or damage of said quake. I was pretty disappointed, when I found a thin (but very noticeable) hairline crack about 16 inches long in my garage. Its right at the corner of a doorway, and runs right up to the major brace that seems to support the majority of my 2nd floor. (I'm not an engineer..so, don't know the correct terminology.) But I also checked the DVR on my security cameras....and it was very noticeable. (almost comical)
You must have not been around for the big one in 2011. That one was something else. The swaying effect that one made weirded me out.

Edmond Residents Dealing With Damage After 4.3 Earthquake - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/30849588/edmond-residents-dealing-with-damage-after-43-earthquake)

OK Residents Should Check Earthquake Insurance Coverage - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/30849377/ok-residents-should-check-earthquake-insurance-coverage)

http://www.koco.com/news/earthquake-prompts-commissioner-to-remind-citizens-to-check-insurance-policies/37180810

http://www.koco.com/news/earthquake-rips-chimney-from-edmond-home/37180460

http://www.koco.com/news/41-magnitude-earthquake-reported-near-east-edmond/37172348

One thing about the earthquake endorsement on homeowners. I asked my agent a number of years before the earthquakes started. He laughed at me. This is Oklahoma we don't have many. He had like maybe 2 policies and they were people from California. He told me the price and I said write it. Now who is laughing about earthquake insurance. Farmers does not cover under a 5.0 with a 10 % deductible if I remember right. But for $62 a yrs its ok.

From the news4 article:

" Insurance commissioner John Doak said out of approximately 100 claims made in 2014, insurance companies only paid eight."

<whistle sound>

And again, we won't regulate anything as a result of this. The Corp. Commission will continue to make its "strong suggestions" to the industry to ignore if they choose. And insurance companies will continue to sell or not sell whatever they want to us. And homeowners will be left holding the bag. What a great system.

Was just wondering. Since we're talking about insurance. Would (uninsured) OKC be able to recover from a 6.7 like the 1994 north ridge earthquake? Or the 6.9 San Fran-Oakland of 1989?

I know we've all had our say about the fault size and whether "the big one" is possible. I'm asking a theoretical question.

Could OKC recover from a possible 50 billion dollar uninsured disaster?

Just sayin, if my home and business were leveled along with everything in and I had no policy, which I don't. I'd take the cash in my checking account and leave.

From the news4 article:

" Insurance commissioner John Doak said out of approximately 100 claims made in 2014, insurance companies only paid eight."

<whistle sound>

Knowing how lazy the media is, that's a pretty vague quote to just throw out there. A rational person doesn't even know what that means..... Were these 100 legitimate claims by policy holders with an earthquake endorsement that met the policy requirements? Or - and more likely - were these people who made claims and often either didn't have the endorsement or didn't meet policy requirements - like the deductible.

Sounds more like fear mongering than fact reporting - but that's just me.

---------

A 'claim' is any time you call your insurance provider and they come take a look. Made that mistake after a hail storm once. My neighbors had insured roof damage so I called my insurance agent. They came and took a look and said I didn't have hardly any damage. They invited me to call roofing companies and get quotes. One, came (some fly by night group) and said the roof was totaled, two others (well known) said there really wasn't any damage. So, the insurance company didn't have to spend any money, but my account got dinged with a 'claim.'

Quick question: Does the OGS not record all quakes? We had noticeable aftershocks all day yesterday. A couple made a significant rumble. But their website only shows the two that made the news.

Knowing how lazy the media is, that's a pretty vague quote to just throw out there. A rational person doesn't even know what that means..... Were these 100 legitimate claims by policy holders with an earthquake endorsement that met the policy requirements? Or - and more likely - were these people who made claims and often either didn't have the endorsement or didn't meet policy requirements - like the deductible.

Sounds more like fear mongering than fact reporting - but that's just me.

---------

A 'claim' is any time you call your insurance provider and they come take a look. Made that mistake after a hail storm once. My neighbors had insured roof damage so I called my insurance agent. They came and took a look and said I didn't have hardly any damage. They invited me to call roofing companies and get quotes. One, came (some fly by night group) and said the roof was totaled, two others (well known) said there really wasn't any damage. So, the insurance company didn't have to spend any money, but my account got dinged with a 'claim.'

That was the point of the story the quote came from titled "OK Residents Should Check Earthquake Insurance Coverage". People don't know what they have and for the most part, probably don't have the coverage they think they do. I doubt the 8 out of 100 claims ratio is remotely close to representative of how claims filed under home owners, auto, life, medical or other policies end up. There's lots of confusion on both sides, consumers in what they have covered and some insurance companies trying to dodge the bullet by not insuring quakes related to oil and gas exploration.

That was the point of the story the quote came from titled "OK Residents Should Check Earthquake Insurance Coverage".

Then they missed the point by failing to put the quote in context. I'm certain many people will take the point to be that insurance companies are not honoring earthquake coverage - thus making the insurance providers look bad. When the point most likely is that most homeowner's are negligent in actually making certain they are covered and what they are covered for.

Bellaboo,

I apologize if I offended you for asking if you were affiliated with the energy industry, it seems relevant to understand someone's motivation when discussing an issue. Thanks for avoiding a direct answer.

You didn't offend me, but I've seen to many times over the years where the topic changes from it's intent. Getting off track easily happens. And yes about the energy business. I have a small ownership in a few wells. But I also believe the wastewater injection (along with the fact there are tons of faults along the Nemaha Ridge) is the root of the problem. I've stated many times that there needs to be pipelines run to injection wells to the western parts of the state where there isn't any quake activity, as a remedy.

And again, we won't regulate anything as a result of this. The Corp. Commission will continue to make its "strong suggestions" to the industry to ignore if they choose. And insurance companies will continue to sell or not sell whatever they want to us. And homeowners will be left holding the bag. What a great system.

Yet another reason why I decided to just rent an apartment from here on out. I don't worry about **** and pay $8 per month to insure everything I own.

Yet another reason why I decided to just rent an apartment from here on out. I don't worry about **** and pay $8 per month to insure everything I own.

Did you get a quake rider and does it cover damages to your stuff from made made quakes? (Did you move back south where it doesn't matter so much?)

Related: GEICO refuses to cover man made earthquakes (http://www.ibamag.com/news/south-news/geico-refuses-to-cover-man-made-earthquakes-27365.aspx)

Obviously, an insurer does not want to pay a claim if they are not required to do so or for occurrences not factored in their underwriting assumptions. What, if anything, would constitute actual scientific proof and causation between various drilling/injection activities and our recent earthquakes? If the standard of proof is absolute unquestioned scientific certainty, this debate will likely never be resolved. If I were an insurer or energy producer, I would accept nothing less before agreeing to suffer losses or forego opportunities. Does anyone have an opinion as to what evidence they would need to consider intervention necessary?

You must have not been around for the big one in 2011. That one was something else. The swaying effect that one made weirded me out.

I felt the one in 2011. It was definitely "louder, and longer" but I also lived in a different home at the time. This one yesterday felt like it picked the entire house up about 4 feet in the air...and then dropped it.

Been doing some calling regarding insurance. Right now I am swaying towards Amerisurance Agency Inc. in Edmond. They offer a stand alone policy against earthquakes. A 5% deductible will cover my home, unattached structures, personal property, loss of use and building code upgrade for $343.

Quick question: Does the OGS not record all quakes? We had noticeable aftershocks all day yesterday. A couple made a significant rumble. But their website only shows the two that made the news.

Yes, they maintain a database with all of the events. Sometimes it takes them a while to update that database, and since their main seismologist quit earlier this year, it may take them long than normal. Try this website:

earthquakes.usgs.gov

They are pretty prompt.

The problem with insurance companies is that many do not cover earthquake damage caused by an induced earthquake. Since precedent has already been established that these events are related to wastewater injection (precedent being the reduction in earthquakes near injection wells) plus the literature has established a sound theoretical cause for these quakes (injection wells and oil field activities) you are going to have a very difficult time proving any damage is not related to man made activities; therefore, you are SOL. Unless of course the Meer's fault or other adjacent faults ruptures again creating a mag. 7 earthquake like it did 10,000 years ago.

I've been thinking about the consequences of a large (>6 earthquake) for oklahoma. Damage would be wide spread and it would be significant and extensive. Nothing like the localized damage we get from tornadoes. I'm talking about damage from south of Norman to north of Stillwater if the epicenter was near Edmond. Say insurance covers everyone's house (which it won't). Can you imagine how long it would take to get your house rebuilt? Where would you stay? Hotels would likely be structurally compromised or full, so there wouldn't be anywhere to stay. I'm sure looting would be bad (people are animals and waste no time trying to profit from other's problems). It would be horrible. Like one poster said, I would probably pack up what I could and leave this state.

Did you get a quake rider and does it cover damages to your stuff from made made quakes? (Did you move back south where it doesn't matter so much?)

Related: GEICO refuses to cover man made earthquakes (http://www.ibamag.com/news/south-news/geico-refuses-to-cover-man-made-earthquakes-27365.aspx)

It doesn't matter how my stuff gets destroyed - for $8/mo I get everything replaced up to $100,000. If my apartment building collapses and destroys my clothes I have bigger problems than how to replace my jeans since I live on the 6th floor.

The problem with insurance companies is that many do not cover earthquake damage caused by an induced earthquake. ....


That may have been the case a year or two ago. I've spent this week calling around and so far only two major insurance providers I called said they exclude manmade earthquakes. Everyone else said they will cover any type. The big differences now become deductibles and exclusions (like masonry, detached structures, contents, etc.).

Walls of northeast OKC apartment complex collapse after quake | Oklahoma City - OKC - KOCO.com (http://www.koco.com/news/Walls-of-northeast-OKC-apartment-complex-collapse-after-quake/37197654)

Walls of northeast OKC apartment complex collapse after quake | Oklahoma City - OKC - KOCO.com (http://www.koco.com/news/Walls-of-northeast-OKC-apartment-complex-collapse-after-quake/37197654)

If these are the apartments I'm thinking of they didn't appear to be structurally sound to begin with.

If these are the apartments I'm thinking of they didn't appear to be structurally sound to begin with.Yeah. I'm honestly not sure which ones they are.

USGS Seismologist Says Edmond Earthquake Reactivated Fault - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/30856815/usgs-seismologist-says-edmond-earthquake-reactivated-fault)

Yeah. I'm honestly not sure which ones they are.

I don't see any masonry wall ties on the exposed areas. That looks like some shoddy construction, especially on a brick veneer wall that tall.

Quick question: Does the OGS not record all quakes? We had noticeable aftershocks all day yesterday. A couple made a significant rumble. But their website only shows the two that made the news.

I noticed that too. I went to the USGS website and pulled up their earthquake map for the past seven days, and zoomed in on OK. Then I went to configure and selected all earthquakes (by default it only shows above 2.5). It looks like we have had 19 earthquakes since the 29th. The smallest recorded was 1.9. I don't know if that means that really is the smallest we have had, or if the equipment has some lower limit it can't detect.

I no longer trust OGS and haven't been to their site so I don't know how this compares.

I have found the QuakeFeed app is the best.

Question for any people with knowledge about seismic events and fault lines... Is this a really bad thing about the fault line being reactivated?

Question for any people with knowledge about seismic events and fault lines... Is this a really bad thing about the fault line being reactivated?

How could the words "fault line reactivated" ever be anything but a bad thing? Especially considering its location to a highly populated area.

Another good shaker early this morning that woke me up.

In my two months here, I've felt way more earthquakes than the entire 25 years I lived in California.

Welcome to Oklahoma!

Showing as a 4.2 at 5:39AM NE of Edmond.

Unlike Tuesday's, I was fully awake for this one. Most of the time when they happen I am either in a place where I don't happen to feel them (car, work) or asleep.

As happened on Tuesday, I normally wake up, groggily decide that it isn't strong enough to be concerned about, and then roll over and go back to sleep. This morning I was awake and reading the paper, so I got to savor the entire event.

Also, what the heck with the larger ones seeming to occur between 2 and 6 AM? Am I just imagining this?

Question for any people with knowledge about seismic events and fault lines... Is this a really bad thing about the fault line being reactivated?

It really just depends. If a fault was reactivated near a tectonic boundary that is under a lot of stress (anywhere on the western seaboard), it could be a bad thing. There is "a lot" of movement in those areas causing rapid stress build up, so it could have huge impacts especially if that fault wasn't mapped before.

Here in oklahoma it is a different story. Clearly the crust has built up some stress, but the rate of which it builds up is really slow. These earthquakes are releasing that stress, and as you may have noticed, we've only had one, maybe 2, over a mag 5 and they all tend to peak around 4.2-4.5. I don't think that is coincidence. I think that is related to how much stress the crust has built up over millions of years. Now, for some reason, an old fault decided to rupture. It could be a result of all the other fault movement in the area, or it could be from a near by injector. I don't really know. We could have serious problems if this fault ruptures the surface (which would be unlikely) because a magnitude 4 near the surface would feel A LOT bigger than what we have been experiencing. All this really means is that we may have a few more rumbles along this fault as it tries to find stability.

I was living in Manhattan Beach during the famous 1994 Northridge Earthquake in Southern California.

It hit at 4:30AM so everyone was asleep and it was one of the most terrifying things I hope to ever experience.

There was a tremendously hard jolt, then violent shaking that seemed to last forever. It was one of those times where you immediately knew it was a very bad situation.

It's hard to describe but when the entire earth is shaking it's a very bizarre feeling because there is literally nowhere to go. It's not like a tornado where you can move away from it, have some warning, etc.


I was just thinking about how strict the building codes have always been in California due to their history of quakes and how here in Oklahoma we are probably far less prepared in that respect. After witnessing the billions in destruction in 1994, I can only imagine what would happen here if we ever got a 6+ shaker, as Northridge was 6.7.

For example, for a long time building heights were limited in California. When engineering techniques finally progressed in the 70's they stared to build taller. I worked in a 50-story building that was on some sort of roller system designed to absorb the shockwaves and have the building move with them. I can tell you on windy days, that building *swayed* in a very unsettling fashion.

I doubt anything built before 1960 here took any of this sort of thing into consideration, because engineering for violent weather is a very different thing.

I have it on good authority that a frightening place to be during a good shaker is sitting on the can. Not saying that it's ever happened to me of course; only that I've heard from a reliable individual that it's a bit of a wild ride.

^

Haha... Yeah, that can't be good.

Anyone have a link they could share to the most current interactive map (not just an image) showing injection well sites and earthquake epicenters in Oklahoma?