2 earthquakes rumble near several Oklahoma towns on Saturday

MOORELAND, Okla. (AP) – The U.S. Geological Survey says two earthquakes have rattled parts of western and central Oklahoma.

The strongest was a 3.7 magnitude temblor that rattled near Mooreland about 5:30 a.m. Saturday. Less than an hour earlier, a 2.5 magnitude quake struck near Perry.

A few miles across the border, a 3.1 magnitude hit near Caldwell, Kansas, around 1 p.m.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or property damage.

Scientists say damage is not likely in earthquakes below magnitude 4.0.

The number of magnitude 3.0 or greater earthquakes has skyrocketed in Oklahoma, from a few dozen in 2012 to more than 900 last year.

Scientists have linked the increase to the underground disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production, prompting state regulators to ask producers to reduce wastewater disposal volumes.