The ground shook near Irving for the 16th time this week after a 2.6-magnitude earthquake was recorded shortly before noon Friday near Bachman Lake.
The quake's epicenter was in Dallas, but was adjacent to a cluster of quakes that have been recorded near the former site of Texas Stadium in Irving.
Friday's quake was recorded at 11:39 a.m. and was estimated to have occurred at a depth of roughly three miles.
Earlier this week at least a dozen earthquakes were recorded over two days in the Irving and Dallas area along the Quachita Tectonic Front. Seismologists with Dallas' Southern Methodist University are investigating the earthquakes to see if they are being induced or if they are naturally occurring.
Following the most recent earthquake swarm, SMU seismologists deployed and additional 22 seismographs in the area.
Since 2008, more than 100 quakes have hit North Texas; 45 were in the Irving area alone and more than 20 happened in just the last three months.
Before 2008, only one earthquake had ever been recorded in that area.
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No injuries or serious damage have been reported in connection with any of the earthquakes.
Jenkins Encourages Earthquake Preparedness Plan
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins hosted a conference call Friday afternoon with emergency managers from across North Texas and urged residents to prepare for more earthquakes.
“Check all your big heavy items like pictures that are stuck to walls and mirrors, big bookshelves, and make sure that they’re properly secured to the wall,” said Jenkins. “Just like a tornado, you want to stay away from glass, you want something between your head and things that might fall on your head.”
Experts said due to the relatively shallow depth at which these earthquakes are occurring, any earthquakes registering in the "mid-4s" on the Richter scale could cause structural damage.
Un-reinforced, masonry buildings are most vulnerable, they said.
In a news release following the conference call, Jenkins’ office offered the following recommendations and earthquake preparedness tips:
• Have an emergency kit that includes items such as bottled water, several days’ worth of food, a flashlight, a first aid kit, pet food, and a battery powered radio (for full list go to www.Ready.gov)
• Fasten shelves, mirrors and other heavy objects securely to walls
• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves
• Locate safe spots in each room under a sturdy table or against an inside wall
• Hold earthquake drills with your family members: Drop, cover and hold on!
DROP to your hands and knees
COVER your head and neck with your arms and only move if you need to get away from the danger of falling objects
HOLD ON to any sturdy shelter until the shaking stops
If you find yourself in an earthquake, it’s important to remember these DOs and DO NOTs:
• DO drop, cover and hold on!
• DO stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls
• DO NOT get in a doorway
• DO stay inside until the shaking stops
• DO NOT use the elevators.
• If outside, DO move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires
Find more information on how to prepare for and respond to an earthquake at the following websites:
• www.Ready.gov (Spanish language site www.Listo.gov)
• http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/earthquake
• http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1508-20490-0627/fema_b_526_eng_r1.pdf
NBC 5's Kevin Cokely contributed to this report.
