Oklahoma

Rumbling on: Oklahoma earthquakes continue, though less than years past

Published

1 year ago

September 6, 2024

Rumbling on: Oklahoma earthquakes continue, though less than years past

ARDMORE, Oklahoma (KXII) – While it may seem like there’s a spike in Oklahoma earthquakes this year, the data shows that’s more feeling than fact.

Since 2016, stats from the Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS) show a steady decline in the number of earthquakes magnitude 3.0 or higher, and this year is keeping with the trend so far.

“Between 2014 and 2016, you can see there are a lot of them, I mean hundreds per month,” OGS Director Nick Hayman said. “But here we are today in 2024, and it’s really not that many.”

Earthquakes occur when stress buildup along a fault line overcomes friction and releases in the form of energy, causing the ground to shake and shift.

Hayman said humans can cause ‘induced earthquakes’ by excessive or irresponsible drilling and other ground disturbing activities.

Though, he says recent changes in legislation have led to less ground disturbances, which could be contributing to the decline in strong quakes.

Still, earthquakes are unpredictable.

“If you ask me if the earthquake number will keep going down, I can’t answer that,” Hayman said. “Nobody can.”

Though, he said OGS scientists don’t expect to see any big quakes in Oklahoma in the near future.

“We, again, we don’t really think there’s gonna be the kind of earthquakes that’ll knock a whole building down,” Hayman said. “We certainly can’t guarantee that won’t happen, but we think it’s a very unlikely scenario.”

But, what most people would consider to be a strong quake, might not be as strong as the numbers appear.

Hayman said the scale is exponential, so a 3.1 magnitude earthquake is much stronger than even a 3.0 magnitude earthquake.

“By the time you get to a five, it’s hugely bigger than a three,” he said.

OGS has around 80 devices spread out across Oklahoma that monitor for earthquakes, so anyone who thinks they may have felt a quake is encouraged to check their seismic map.

Hayman said, while it’s unlikely that a quake strong enough to cause injury will hit Oklahoma anytime soon, it’s important to remember, if the ground starts rumbling, drop to the floor, get underneath a table, and hold onto the table until the earthquake stops.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s Alabama Winning Streak a Rare Accomplishment Against the Crimson Tide

Published

6 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma’s Alabama Winning Streak a Rare Accomplishment Against the Crimson Tide

Oklahoma is looking to make some history when it takes on Alabama on Friday in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.

The Sooners and Crimson Tide square off at 7 p.m. Friday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC.

A win would not only boost the Sooners into the quarterfinals, but would give them three consecutive victories over the Crimson Tide.

OU beat Alabama 24-3 last season in Norman and 23-21 earlier this season in Tuscaloosa.

Oklahoma’s players sing with the away fans following the Sooners’ 23-21 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide last month. | David Leong-Imagn Images

Since 1960, only 12 programs have beaten the Crimson Tide in three consecutive meetings and only one such streak included a win over Alabama following Nick Saban’s first season in 2007 when the Crimson Tide went 7-6.

That streak?

Another Sooners’ winning streak in the series, which included pre-Saban wins in 2002 and 2003 and the Trevor Knight-led Sugar Bowl win as part of the 2013 season.

In the last 65 seasons, the Sooners were only the second non-conference team to knock off Alabama in three consecutive meetings, joining Texas, which beat the Crimson Tide in 1981, 1972 and 1964.

OKC Thunder Deploy Traditional Starting Lineup vs. Spurs

Published

18 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

OKC Thunder Deploy Traditional Starting Lineup vs. Spurs

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the San Antonio Spurs in the Semi Final of the 2025 NBA Cup tournament. This is the third year of the event and second straight trip for the OKC Thunder to the Semi Final.

This is set to be a barn burner, as the Oklahoma City Thunder enter this contest 24-1 and the San Antonio Spurs sit at 17-7. Though, the even better news for both sides is the injury report. The Spurs get back generational talent Victor Wembanyama from his multi-week stint on the injured list and the Isaiah Hartenstein returns for Oklahoma City after missing the Thunder’s last five games.

With Oklahoma City only missing Isaiah Joe (knee contusion) in this contest, it gives them a rare treat. The Thunder for the first time all season will have their fully healthy starting five at their disposal. Many believe Mark Daigneault will deploy superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Defensive ace Lu Dort, All NBA swingman Jalen Williams, Rising star Chet Holmgren and Hartenstein.

This was the first time all season the Thunder have had the chance to prove that thought process right. It can be hard to navigate such a talent filled roster especially as well as Cason Wallace played as a spot starter and leading the league in steals.

In the end, the Oklahoma City Thunder weren’t the ones to throw a curveball with the starting lineup. It was the San Antonio Spurs who will bring Victor Wembanyama off the bench according to the official injury report submitted to the league before tip off.

This makes sense as Wembanyama has missed three weeks of action with a calf strain. San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson revealed that his star center was going to be restricted in his first game back, especially against this historically great defense.

Jan 24, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) looks to pass in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) in the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

OKC Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineups

OKC Thunder Starters

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G
Lu Dort, G
Jalen Williams, F
Chet Holmgren, F
Isaiah Hartenstein, C

San Antonio Spurs Starters

De’Aaron Fox, G
Steph Castle, G
Devin Vassell, F
Harrison Barnes, F
Luke Kornet, C

The Oklahoma City Thunder will have to be mindful of their rotations to counter Wembanyama off the bench and stagger the likes of Holmgren and Hartenstein to counter it.

Up next, the Oklahoma City Thunder will either take on the New York Knicks on Tuesday in the NBA Cup Championship game with a win or resume their regular season with a loss. Falling to the Spurs would snap the Thunder’s 16 game winning streak, but issue Oklahoma City four days off leading into Thursday’s clash with the L.A. Clippers.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma WWII veteran, POW headed home for burial after 82 years

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma WWII veteran, POW headed home for burial after 82 years

A Pawnee native who died in a Japanese prison during World War II is headed back to Oklahoma after officials identified his body 82 years later.

James M. Walker was an infantry corporal stationed on the Philippine Islands when Japan invaded in December 1941. U.S. forces battled the Japanese in intense fighting for months, but ultimately surrendered to the invaders in April 1942.

After being taken prisoner, Walker and thousands of other prisoners of war were forced to travel 65 miles to a prison camp on the notorious Bataan Death March. More than 2,500 POWs are reported to have died at the camp.

Prison camp records showed he died on Jan. 1, 1943 at the age of 46, but he was buried in a common grave with other deceased prisoners. After the war, the American Graves Registration Service exhumed the bodies, collected samples for identification analysis and reburied the remains in a memorial cemetery in Manila.

To identify Walker’s remains, scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System also used mitochondrial DNA analysis and mitochondrial genome sequencing data.

Although interred as an “unknown” for decades, Walker’s grave was meticulously cared for by the American Battle Monuments Commission. His name is listed on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate his remains have been identified.

Upon his return to the United States, Walker will be buried in Maramec, Oklahoma in January 2026.

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