Arkansas quakes decline since hydrofracking injection wells were closed

[Ichingcarpenter]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The number and strength of earthquakes in central Arkansas have noticeably dropped since the shutdown of two injection wells in the area, although a state researcher says it’s too early to draw any conclusions.

“We have definitely noticed a reduction in the number of earthquakes, especially the larger ones,“ said Scott Ausbrooks, geohazards supervisor for the Arkansas Geological Survey. “It’s definitely worth noting.“

The Center for Earthquake Research and Information recorded around 100 earthquakes in the seven days preceding the shutdown earlier this month, including the largest quake to hit the state in 35 years — a magnitude 4.7 on Feb. 27. A dozen of the quakes had magnitudes greater than 3.0. In the days since the shutdown, there have been around 60 recorded quakes, with only one higher than a magnitude 3.0. The majority were between magnitudes 1.2 and 2.8.

The two injection wells are used to dispose of wastewater from natural-gas production. One is owned by Chesapeake Energy, and the other by Clarita Operating. They agreed March 4 to temporarily cease injection operations at the request of the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission.


SNIP...........


http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/arkansas_quakes_decline_since.html

[Lucinda]

1. Bookmarking to read later. Thanks!

[groundloop]

2. Here's a weird theory.....

Giant earthquakes happen when huge stresses in the earth's plates which build up over many many years are suddenly released. What if we could "lubricate" the plates where they rub against each other and allow them to move more freely, releasing that energy in many small movements instead of one giant catastrophic movement? I'm wondering if that's what's going on in Arkansas - just a thought.

[Divernan]

3. And it's PA's driller, Chesapeake Energy, responsible.

The commission said preliminary studies showed evidence potentially linking injection activities with nearly 1,000 quakes in the region over the past six months.

But Ausbrooks said it’s too soon to tell if the decline in quakes is directly related to the injection well closures, adding that the drop could just be a normal low period of the swarm cycle. “Either way, I wouldn’t expect (the earthquakes) to quit immediately,“ he said. “If there is a relationship, the seismic activity could go on for weeks, months or even years.“

Chesapeake Energy has said it does not believe there is a connection between the injection wells and the area’s seismic activity.

A six-month moratorium on new injection wells in the area took effect in January to allow time to determine what relationship, if any, there is between the wells and the earthquakes

[blm]

4. Another story corpmedia will NOT highlight, lest their fascist masters disapprove.

.

[makokun]

5. Interesting...except that

the depth of the seismic activity doesn't match the well depth (it's only off by a "few" miles). I wonder what would happen if everyone in the country jumped up and down at the same time?

Maybe the media could do an exposé on this and other freak occurences like the rising of the sun.

Losing...duh :)