An earthquake with a 4.8 magnitude strikes in parts of Kansas today.
The recent quake caught people in the affected area off guard. According to a recent report, the incident which reportedly occurred at around 3:40 PM and is said to be shallow at a depth of 3.4 miles. U.S. Geological Survey also said that the epicenter is at about 33 miles southwest of Wichita while other tremors were felt across the state as far as Irving, Texas while some people in Arkansas and Oklahoma also reported that they sensed the moderately strong shake.
Since the start of 2014, today's earthquake in the area is said to be the strongest. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Kansas has already experienced up to 93 quakes ranging from magnitudes 1.3 to 4.3. Way back in September, a magnitude 4.1 tremble was experienced in the affected area.
The sudden catastrophe caused some damages in the structures of Milan, a tiny town about 10 miles southwest of Conway Springs. Although structural damages were evident, no serious injuries have been noted. Many people are reportedly in shock due to what happened.
While today's earthquake in Kansas has puzzled the residents and authorities, there are claims that the terrible tremor was actually the effect of the ongoing fracking or hydraulic fracturing in the region. Federal agencies are trying to determine if such kind of activity actually contributes to the increase of seismic activity in the area. Energy companies are also confident that there is no connection between the two phenomenon.
According to USA Today, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback said that they will deploy monitoring equipment which will track the change in the movement of the ground. It will also allow experts to study the cause of the increasing seismic activity that has brought nearly hundred earthquakes.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
