An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 has shaken parts of Kansas and Oklahoma. It was the largest since a series of earthquakes began shaking Kansas just over a year ago.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake started around 3:40 p.m.
It had an epicenter just south of Conway Springs, about 30 miles southwest of Wichita.
Interim Kansas Geological Survey director Rex Buchanan says soo far in 2014, the state has experienced more than 90 earthquakes. The smallest ones registered only on earthquake monitors.
On Thursday, Governor Sam Brownback and members of the Induced Seismicity Task Force, announced a six-station portable seismic network will be procured and funded for the state.
The network will monitor the increased seismic activity in Harper, Sumner, and Barber counties.
Governor Brownback says "We must balance the safety of all Kansans, and consider the impacts to industry."
He says the network will give state geologists the data they need to understand the increased seismic activity and to formulate a plan going forward.
The Kansas Geological Survey estimates the monitoring stations will cost about $85,000 and will be operational in early 2015.
