Davis in Murray County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Oklahoma, Where Reflection Seismograph Was Born

Photographed by James Hulse, September 19, 2025

1. Oklahoma, Where Reflection Seismograph Was Born Marker

Inscription. Oklahoma is the birthplace of reflection seismic technique of oil exploration. This geophysical method records reflected seismic waves as they travel through the Earth, helping to find oil-bearing formations. It has been responsible for the discovery of many of the world's largest oil and gas fields containing billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. Pioneering research and development was led by Dr. J.C. Karcher, an Okla. physicist.

The Arbuckle Mountains of Okla. were selected for a pilot survey of the technique and equipment, because an entire geologic section from the basal Permian to the basement mass of granite is exposed here. This survey followed limited testing in June 1921 in the outskirts of Oklahoma City.

Verification and confirmation testing was conducted in the Arbuckles beginning July 4, 1921 by Dr. Karcher, and Dr. W.P. Haseman, Dr. D.W. O'hern, and Dr. Irving Perrine of the University of Oklahoma. Results were promising.

The world's first reflection seismograph geologic section was measured on August 9, 1921 along Vines Branch, a few miles north of Dougherty near here.

The reflection technique has become the major method of energy exploration throughout the world. By 1983, more than 70 percent of the 18,600 members of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists in 112 countries were involved in reflection seismography.

Erected 1983 by Oklahoma Historical Society with Oklahoma-Kansas Oil & Gas Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1921.

Location. 34° 25.637′ N, 97° 8.745′ W. Marker is in Davis, Oklahoma, in Murray County. It is on U.S. 77 2.2 miles north of Interstate 35, on the left when traveling north. The marker

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is located at the Turner Falls Overlook on US 77. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Davis OK 73030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Chickasaw Nation.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hutchins & Sons Furniture & Undertaking (approx. 5½ miles away); Fort Arbuckle (approx. 8.7 miles away); In Memory Of Of Those Who Died In Training Accidents During WWII And The Korean Conflict (approx. 10.8 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps and Platt National Park (approx. 11.2 miles away); Sulphur (approx. 11.2 miles away).

Oklahoma, Where Reflection Seismograph Was Born Marker (left marker) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 19, 2025

2. Oklahoma, Where Reflection Seismograph Was Born Marker (left marker)

The view of the markers along the highway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 19, 2025

3. The view of the markers along the highway

The view of the Turner Falls at the overlook image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 19, 2025

4. The view of the Turner Falls at the overlook

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 24, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.