Oklahoma Geological Survey Expanding Network To Record And Broadcast Earthquake Information

Researchers in Norman are working on early-warning technology for earthquakes that could help keep Oklahomans safe.

The Oklahoma Geological Survey has a network of sites that record information about earthquakes in Oklahoma They're now working with a private company to explore the possibility of that information being broadcast directly from their network of instruments to people's phones.

The goal is better and faster information exchange to the public. "If we could get it down to knowing that there's an earthquake within seconds rather than within tens of seconds then we can actually be in a position where we can send out what's called an earthquake early warning message," State Seismologist Jake Walter said.

Those seconds could be vital to give people time to duck, cover and hold on: duck under a piece of sturdy furniture, cover your head and neck area and hold on till the shaking stops

Director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey & State Geologist Nicholas Hayman said this will at the very least help people be more aware when earthquakes happen. "The more technology we bring to this problem of earthquakes the better," he said, "The more people can know, the more they can learn, the faster people can know what's happening."

If you feel an earthquake, you can report it to the Oklahoma Geological Survey, that information helps improve understanding of earthquakes in Oklahoma. To report an earthquake, click here.

While the early warning system is still a couple years out from becoming operational, they're hoping that this will be a very important step towards earthquake awareness throughout the state.