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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsScientists Find 'Direct Link' Between Earthquakes and Fracking
http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/312-16/25918-scientists-find-direct-link-between-earthquakes-and-frackingteam of scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey have found evidence directly linking the uptick in Colorado and New Mexico earthquakes since 2001 to wastewater injection, a process widely used in the controversial technique of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and conventional drilling.
In a study to be published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America on Tuesday, the scientists presented several lines of evidence [that] suggest the earthquakes in the area are directly related to the disposal of wastewater deep underground, according to a BSSA press release. Fracking and conventional natural gas companies routinely dispose of large amounts of wastewater underground after drilling. During fracking, the water is mixed with chemicals and sand, to fracture underground shale rock formations and make gas easier to extract.
The USGS research is just the latest in a string of studies that have suggested the disposed water is migrating along dormant fault lines, changing their state of stress, and causing them to fail.
For their research, the four California-based USGS scientists monitored the 2,200 square mile Raton Basin, which goes from southern Colorado into New Mexico. They pointed out that the Basin had been seismically quiet until 1999, when companies began major fluid injection deep into the ground. Earthquakes began in 2001 when Colorado wastewater injection rates were under 600,000 barrels per month, and and since then there have been 16 earthquakes that could be considered large (above a magnitude of 3.8, including two over a 5.0 magnitude), compared with only one a 4.0 magnitude quake in the 30 years prior.
Turbineguy
(37,381 posts)What do they know? What does Rush Limbaugh say?
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)That can't be true.....California had a huge earthquake back in 1900 or so, and there was no fracking then...so there!
End of discussion.
zappaman
(20,606 posts)Not shocking whatsoever.
Fox News defense of fracking in 3...2...
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)DeadLetterOffice
(1,352 posts)Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)Halliburton?
japple
(9,844 posts)environmental champeens will talk it up, tho. I feel so helpless these days about our society and the seemingly collective desire to do anything radical or even proactive. Everyone seems wounded.
Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)japple
(9,844 posts)Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)quarbis
(314 posts)Proved that back in the 1970s
I studied it in geology classes back then
They injected waste products into deep wells on the site. It caused earthquakes
In Denver.
winter is coming
(11,785 posts)We've known for decades that this can happen.
quarbis
(314 posts)My BS in Geology
LiberalEsto
(22,845 posts)but the motherfracking oil and gas industry refuses to listen.
If some scientists discovered that fracking definitely caused permanent male impotence, would that get through their thick greedy skulls?
valerief
(53,235 posts)Skittles
(153,226 posts)niyad
(113,636 posts)due to underground testing (nahhhhhh!)
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)Solar panels cause shade and keeps the sun from hitting the ground!
If we had more fracking with could live without solar!
Heidi
(58,237 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,466 posts)Thanks for the thread, eridani.