The Arkansas Geological Survey wants to know why several earthquakes rocked Hot Spring and Garland counties last month. So the group has installed five seismic monitors in the area. The goal is get a detailed reading of what's causing the tremors."They all shook us, and then it sounded like a large explosion, and then a shockwave right after." Former Hot Spring County Judge Robert Parker is retired now. Earlier this month he was relaxing at home when he felt the earth shake.
“I was sitting on the edge of a recliner, and it knocked me over and I almost sat on my dog; that's how strong it was," said Parker.
In the last month there have been at least five earthquakes in Hot Spring and Garland counties. “They've ranged from 2.0 to 2.7. That's unusual for Arkansas," said Bekki White, Director of the Arkansas Geological Survey.
It's unusual to have so many in such a short amount of time. So White teamed up with Earthquake Research Center at the University of Memphis to deploy five seismic monitors in the area surrounding Magnet Cove in Hot Spring and Garland Counties.
"We're looking at finding out what's going on, what's going on to the public," said White.
Prior to last month's tremors, the last earthquake was felt in 2001 and registered at a 3.2. The seismic monitors are on loan from the University of Memphis. White has put in a request with Governor Beebe for permanent Arkansas monitors.
