US: Magnitude-4.5 earthquake occurs in Oklahoma Jan. 31

Event

A magnitude-4.5 earthquake occurred in northern Oklahoma at around 11:10 Jan. 32. The epicenter was about 7 km (4 miles) northwest of Medford. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 7.9 km (4.9 miles); moderate-to-strong shaking was reported in areas close to the epicenter, with light-to-moderate shaking being experienced in other parts of northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in rural areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.