Oklahoma has historically been one of the more earthquake-prone areas east of the Rocky Mountains. Our strongest earthquake, a magnitude 5.8, occurred in September 2016 near Pawnee – and a 5.1 magnitude hit Prague in February 2024.
The U.S. Geological Survey currently reports earthquake magnitudes using the Moment Magnitude scale. A magnitude 5.3 is a moderate earthquake, with a 6.3 on the strong end, and Chile’s 1960 Valdivia Earthquake as the strongest on record at a magnitude 9.5. Seismologists are those who keep track of these (literal) earth-shattering situations.
The University of Oklahoma offers its School of Geosciences to those who want to study earthquakes – also known as seismology – for a living. Assistant professor of geophysics Junle Jiang says that “seismology is a discipline that studies the sudden failure – i.e. earthquakes – and vibrational motion – seismic waves – of Earth. It falls in the broader field of geophysics, or more broadly, geosciences.”
Jiang believes Oklahoma’s active earthquake situation is linked to underground wastewater disposal since the early 2010s.
“The overall seismic activities have subdued since 2016, but earthquake risk lingers,” he says.
But James Knapp, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University Boone Pickens Distinguished Chair of Geoscience, says that “earthquakes have existed a long time in Oklahoma. We had a magnitude 7 earthquake about 1,200 years ago,” he says. “Specialists studied an Oklahoma fault to find this information. This was long before we were messing around with oil and gas drilling.”
Oklahoma’s universities are training new seismologists, and Knapp says seismology is part of the OSU geophysics program, where students may choose to specialize in seismology. He says OSU has steadily seen an increase in student numbers in the geophysics program – which began in 2021.
Jiang says OU has also seen an uptick in geophysics students, largely due to increasing job opportunities in resource exploration and hazard mitigation.
“While geoscience knowledge is crucial, basic science and engineering are the foundation for geosciences,” says Jiang. “Many students from various STEM backgrounds can transition to a career in seismology or geophysics. A degree in seismology, or more broadly in geophysics, emphasizes hybrid skills of data collection and analytical modeling applied to real-world problems about Earth, hazards and resources.”
Knapp continues: “Seismology is an active, dynamic field. We want answers now, especially on when an earthquake will happen. But Earth does not operate on the human timetable.”
Geophysics 101
Geophysics is a discovery science of the Earth and other planets using state-of-the-art technology that integrates geology, mathematics, physics and computer modeling. Geophysicists explore the Earth’s natural resources.
Both OU and OSU offer a bachelor of science degree in geophysics, while OU also offers graduate degrees in the subject – both a masters and Ph.D degree, as well as a minor starting in fall 2026.
Knapp says the geophysics program requires a “certain level of math and physics.” For those leaning toward seismology, Jiang says students should be proficient in data analysis and computer programming, be familiar with knowledge in earth science and engineering, and develop skills in collaboration and communication.
Jiang mentions that seismologists acquire seismic data by collecting from a permanent monitoring network or setting up temporary monitoring instruments in the field.
“They will also use computer programs to analyze large datasets to extract information and insights about earthquakes and subsurface structure. They may spend their regular day conducting field campaigns to collect data in teamwork, use computers for data processing, analysis, and visualization, or communicate their work in conferences, classrooms, or outreach events.”
