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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOklahoma is Now as Much of an Earthquake Risk as California
http://time.com/4273258/usgs-earthquake-map-oklahoma/#4273258/usgs-earthquake-map-oklahoma/A new federal map released Monday shows parts of Oklahoma are now as seismic as parts of California and Alaska, long the nations leaders in earthquakes, and for the first time includes man-made earthquakes.
The U.S. Geological Surveys new earthquakes hazard map, which helps states and government officials determine insurance rates and building codes, is in part a reaction to the historic increase in seismic activity in Oklahoma. Last year the state experienced almost 900 3-plus magnitude earthquakes; in 2007, it recorded just one. On earlier USGS maps, Oklahoma was a seismic afterthought.
Scientists say Oklahomas surge in quakes is due to the injection of billions of barrels of salty wastewater that have come to the surface during oil and natural gas exploration. The waters injection back into the earth has put pressure on the states fault lines, leading to quakes that have damaged homes, schools and other structures. Oklahoma has thousands of disposal wells, including a heavy concentration in the states northwestern and central regions, where most of the earthquakes are occurring. Ten of the states 12 most powerful quakes have struck since 2011.
For years, state officials refused to acknowledge a link between the quakes and the energy industry. However in recent months, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the industrys regulator, has issued a series of orders to oil and gas companies to limit wastewater volumes in the most seismic parts of the state. Several ongoing lawsuits are also seeking to stop disposal well activity.
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The cracks in my walls can attest to that. I think my sewer line is migrating too.
CorporatistNation
(2,546 posts)hint... Wall Street is also a Great Friend of this candidate...
renate
(13,776 posts)I'm truly sorry.
Runningdawg
(4,494 posts)CA builds to withstand earth quakes, OK doesn't.
2 state universities (OU&OSU) are within 50 miles of where most quakes are centered.
Keystone damn is within this area also.
The epicenter of most quakes are usually in the Cushing oil fields. Not too long ago I saw a news article discussing the possibility of a terrorist attack on the Cushing oil field. That oil field is where the largest amounts of reserve oil are located in the US.
When, not if, the big one comes to OK, it's going to make the oil field fires of the first gulf war look like a picnic.
ViseGrip
(3,133 posts)ViseGrip
(3,133 posts)I can't believe the lack of attention to this thread. Is it the forum it must reside in?