USGS Reports Small Earthquakes in Central Arkansas

The U.S. Geological Survey says two small earthquakes rattled central Arkansas recently.

According to the survey’s Web site, a 1.7-magnitude temblor occurred about 2:43 p.m. on Feb. 18 three miles east of Greenbrier. A 2.5-magnitude quake was recorded at 8:44 p.m. Feb. 17 about four miles northwest of Greenbrier.

A Faulkner County sheriff’s dispatcher says there were no reports of damage or injuries from either quake.

The quakes are the latest in a series of tremors that have struck the area in recent months.

Researchers are investigating whether the quakes are related to active gas-extraction wells in the Fayetteville Shale formation.

Greenbrier is about 45 miles north of Little Rock.