For quite some time, environmentalists have speculated that fracking may be contributing to the rise of small earthquakes within states that participate, leading to studies in places like Oklahoma, Ohio and elsewhere. In the middle of last year, I pondered this question as Oklahoma went through 7 earthquakes in a 14 hour period.
Now, however, a scientific study has come out which validates this line of thought.
http://www.seismosoc.org/...
SAN FRANCISCO – A new study links the March 2014 earthquakes in Poland Township, Ohio to hydraulic fracturing that activated a previously unknown fault.
The induced seismic sequence included a rare felt earthquake of magnitude 3.0, according to research published online by the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (BSSA).
In March 2014, a series of five recorded earthquakes, ranging from magnitude 2.1 to 3.0,
occurred within one kilometer (0.6 miles) of a group of oil and gas wells operated by
Hilcorp Energy, which was conducting active hydraulic fracturing operations at the time.
Due to the proximity of a magnitude 3.0 event near a well, the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources (ODNR) halted operations at the Hilcorp well on March 10, 2014.
This study opens the door for a new re-evaluation of the impact of fracking on our environment.
This garners additional attention today, as Texas finds itself recovering from 12 earthquaks in a 36 hour period.
http://www.nbcdfw.com/...
Irving and Dallas city leaders Wednesday said they are boosting earthquake readiness plans after at least a dozen quakes shook North Texas in 36 hours.
All of the earthquakes were centered near the former Texas Stadium site, near the intersection of State Highways 114 and 183 in Irving but near the Dallas city limits.
The scientific study puts a punctuation mark on reconsideration of fracking policies, as minor earthquakes are still subject to cause damage to property which was never designed with an earthquake in mind.
National Geographic recently reviewed the information related to Texas, and gave their own thoughts:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/...
A growing body of research suggests that wastewater injections may lubricate faults and trigger earthquakes, although some industry representatives have downplayed the possibility of a link. (Learn more about fracking and quakes.)
The Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates the oil and gas industry in the state, recently ordered companies to check local seismic records before they open a new waste disposal well. The ruling came after residents of the town of Azle, outside Fort Worth, complained that recent earthquakes there may have been spurred by new injection activities. Scientists are currently studying the question.
Stump says that it's difficult to link any one earthquake with an injection well. "But by studying a number of events, my hope is that we can come to an understanding of these processes," he says.
Fracknation, the anti-environment and pro-fracking eco-baiters as recently as January 5th referred to studies that paint Fracking in a negative light as 'pseudo science at best."
https://www.facebook.com/...
With more science coming in linking the low level earthquakes and property damage as well as a rash of earthquakes in Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma... where do the deniers go next?