Quakes in fracking regions on the rise
EARTHQUAKES were almost unheard of on the vast stretches of prairie that unfold across the US Midwestern states of Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma.
But, in recent years, they have become commonplace. Oklahoma recorded nearly 150 between January and the start of May. Most were too weak to cause serious damage or endanger lives. Yet they have rattled nerves and raised suspicions that the shaking might be connected to the oil and gas drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, especially the wells where the industry disposes of its wastewater, which may act as quake lubricant.
Now governments in all three states are confronting the issue, reviewing scientific data, holding public discussions and considering new regulations.
In Oklahoma today, hundreds of people are expected to turn out for a meeting that will include the state agency that regulates oil and gas drilling and the Oklahoma Geological Survey.
States with historically few earthquakes are trying to reconcile the scientific data with the interests of their citizens and the oil and gas industry.
In recent weeks, night-time shaking in Oklahoma City has been strong enough to wake residents. The state experienced 145 quakes of 3.0 magnitude or greater between January and May. Normally, two such quakes would occur in a year.
North Texas has had 70 quakes since 2008 as reported by the US Geological Survey, compared with a single quake, in 1950, reported in the region before then.
Still, seismologists – and the oil industry – have taken pains to point out that a clear correlation has not yet been established.