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Texas Hit by Swarm of Earthquakes in West Texas
West Texas has been rattled by a series of four earthquakes within six hours, prompting scrutiny of seismic activity in the region. The temblors, recorded by the US Geological Survey (USGS), occurred in the western part of the state, with the latest striking at 7:58 am ET. These seismic events, ranging from magnitude 2.6 to 2.8, have focused attention on the potential link between such occurrences and oil and gas operations, particularly fracking activities, in this energy-rich area.
Recent Seismic Events
Since 2:30 am ET, four distinct earthquakes have been registered in western Texas. The USGS pinpointed three of these near Toyah and another south of Van Horn. Seismic events exceeding magnitude 2.5 are generally perceptible and can lead to minor damage. However, current reports indicate no injuries or damage resulting from Friday’s earthquakes.
Potential Causes of Earthquakes
While western Texas is known to have fault lines, the recent earthquakes are suspected to be instances of induced seismicity. This phenomenon refers to earthquakes triggered by human actions, most notably activities related to the oil and gas sector. A primary cause is wastewater injection, a byproduct of oil and gas extraction, which elevates underground pressure and can lubricate geological faults, increasing the likelihood of slippage and subsequent seismic activity.
Texas’s Oil and Gas Industry
Texas is a dominant force in US crude oil production, accounting for 42 percent of the nation’s total. The state is also notable for its widespread employment of fracking, a process involving high-pressure injection of water, chemicals, and sand to fracture underground rock formations and release trapped oil and gas. While fracking itself may not directly cause earthquakes, the disposal of wastewater from these operations is considered a potential trigger for tremors.
Study Links Earthquakes to Oil and Gas Production
A study from the University of Texas at Austin in 2022 established that 68 percent of earthquakes in Texas above magnitude 1.5 showed a strong association with oil and gas production. Dr. Alexandros Savvaidis recently highlighted the connection between drilling activities and increased seismic activity. He noted that ‘Deep injection wells, in particular, are linked to higher-magnitude earthquakes,’ suggesting a correlation between the depth of wastewater injection and the severity of earthquakes.
Detailed Earthquake Timeline
The sequence of recent tremors as detected by the USGS includes:
- 2:33 am ET: Magnitude 2.9 earthquake.
- Followed shortly by: Magnitude 2.6 earthquake, nearby to the first.
- 7:17 am ET: Magnitude 2.8 earthquake, south of Van Horn.
- 7:58 am ET: Magnitude 2.7 earthquake, closer to the location of the initial two.
Increased Earthquake Frequency
Prior to these events, the USGS recorded more than a dozen earthquakes in Texas between Wednesday and Thursday. The majority were minor, ranging from magnitude 1.0 to 1.8. However, larger tremors were also noted, including a 3.4 magnitude earthquake and a 2.1 tremor shortly after, located approximately 17 miles southwest of Garden City.
Recent Earthquake Data
Data from the USGS indicates a significant increase in minor seismic activity, with 311 small earthquakes recorded in this region of Texas since March 13. This surge in earthquakes has intensified scrutiny on the region’s thriving oil and gas industry and its practices, specifically fracking and wastewater disposal methods.
Scrutiny of Industry Practices
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which involves injecting high-pressure fluid to extract resources, and the subsequent disposal of wastewater are under increasing examination. Some scientists and environmental advocates suggest a potential link between these industry practices and the observed rise in earthquake occurrences in Texas.