Fracking Operations Cause Thousands of Earthquakes in Arkansas

[ensho]

http://www.truth-out.org/fracking-operations-cause-thousands-earthquakes-arkansas/1311877041


Geologists say fracking wastewater disposal wells in central Arkansas caused an outbreak of thousands of minor earthquakes.

The Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission placed a ban on fracking wastewater wells in the area yesterday. A moratorium on well activity had been in place for months as geologists investigated a possible link between fracking activity and the outbreak of more than 1,200 earthquakes that measured lower than 4.7 in magnitude.

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At least one resident in the area is suing the gas companies over damage an earthquake caused to his home.

Scott Ausbrooks of the Arkansas Geological Survey said a network of cracks and joints in underground rock formations allowed the fracking fluids to reach the fault and cause earthquakes. The earthquakes began rumbling through the countryside after the injections began, and after the operations stopped, the number of earthquakes dropped by two-thirds.
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the truth will out

[WhiteTara]

1. And now they're getting ready to do it again! n/t

[SoCalDem]

2. Just imagine the stresses these are putting on aging underground infrastructure

But there's probably billions set aside to repair damage to these... or not :evilgrin:

[Pab Sungenis]

3. Any time you disturb pressures underground

you're liable to cause an earthquake as the ground settles.

I went to college in an old Western NY oil town. The college was built on top of one of the old oil fields. It's recessed because all the ground settled once the oil was out.

[drakonyx]

4. Interesting

Thanks for posting this. I never would have guessed this particular consequence!

[lonestarnot]

5. The stupidity costs.