Earthquake rocks central Oklahoma

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake in the town of Cushing, Oklahoma, considered one of the world’s key oil hubs, caused some damage but no known injuries or deaths.

The center of Oklahoma was shaken by a 5.0 temblor on Sunday night, hitting near one of the world’s key oil hubs.

The Cushing Police Department said that the town hit with “quite a bit of damage.” A number of brick facades collapsed and window panes in several buildings shattered.

Cushing City Manager Steve Spears said a few minor injuries were reported and expressed concern that some of the town’s century-old buildings might be unsafe, telling residents to “stay out of the area.”

Police cordoned off older parts of the town center.

An assisted living center for the elderly in Cushing was evacuated.

The quake was felt as far away as Iowa, Illinois and Texas.

Oklahoma has experienced thousands of earthquakes in recent years, with nearly all caused by underground injection of wastewater left over from oil and gas production.

A magnitude 4.3 quake forced a shutdown of several oil wells last week.

“I was at home doing some work in my office and, basically, you could feel the whole house sway some. It’s beginning to become normal,” Spears said. “Nothing surprises you anyway.”

According to the US Geological Survey, there have been 19 earthquakes in Oklahoma in the past week.

A 5.8 earthquake, the record for Oklahoma, hit Pawnee on September 3.

By: AP and World Israel News Staff