Oil and gas extraction, also called fracking, is a method used to extract oil or gas. It is sometimes referred to as icing the cake on a boring diet of oil and gas. Fracking results in the release of large amounts of natural gas and oil.
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Why are earthquakes occurring in Oklahoma?
Seismic activity is common in Oklahoma, and there are several places where drilling for oil and gas can cause earthquakes. This is due to the fact that there are many faults in the state!
Oklahoma has a lot of geothermal energy, which comes from hot volcanic rocks called hot springs. These energy sources are important to keeping our electricity bill low!
The trouble? Many of the wells located in areas of intense geothermal activity have been abandoned. This is why there have been so many recent earthquakes in Oklahoma!
We know about these quakes because they make people feel them- you can hear them when they occur! They usually happen at night, when people are sleeping nearby. People also report them during the day, when they are out walking or working around town.
These quakes affect about 5% of Oklahomans, as their home sits near one of the faults that has caused these events.
What is fracking?
Fracking is a method of natural gas extraction. It involves using a mixture of chemicals and pressure to break down shale rock and release natural gas and oil. The process requires government approval, which is why it is labeled as an alternative energy source.
Many people view fracking as a dirty way to obtain energy, but there are some who praise it for its health benefits. Fracking has been linked to earthquakes in Oklahoma, though this connection has not been proven.
On the surface, looking at fracking sites may seem confusing, due to all the terminology used to describe them. However, doing some research on this topic could prevent you from any confusion or harm.
This article will go over the basic facts of fracking and explain whether or not it causes earthquakes in Oklahoma.
Are there any links between fracking and earthquakes?
There are no conclusive links between fracking and earthquakes. However, due to the large amount of oil and gas that are found in Oklahoma, there have been many studies looking into the effects of the practice.
This is not to say that there are no effects – there probably are! These effects can be negative or positive, it depends on who you ask!
Some people claim that this activity can effect them mentally and physically. Others claim no changes but do feel more energetic when they are in contact with new things. Either way, you should know whether or not fracking is for you!
According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), there have been 322 earthquakes in Oklahoma since 1956. Of these, 196 occurred during the 1970s and 1980s, which were known as the Bakken Shale Epi-Zoozozoic Period.
What can be done to reduce the number of earthquakes in Oklahoma?
Although there have been fewer earthquakes in Oklahoma since the introduction of fracking, it doesn’t mean that earthquakes aren’t occurring. In fact, several scientists believe that the increased number of earthquakes in Oklahoma is due to fracking.
One major reason why there have been more earthquakes in Oklahoma than other states is because of the practice called injection of wastewater from oil and gas wells. This practice was outlawed in several places but not in Oklahoma.
Injection of wastewater from oil and gas wells is a process called “injection” because it is actually meant to be put into a place that will eventually hold water and chemicals necessary for it to flow down into the ground and settle.
However, despite being banned, this practice still occurs.
What is being done to reduce the number of earthquakes in Oklahoma?
As part of the national response to the increase in earthquakes, communities closer to active fracking areas are being asked to have more earthquake monitoring. This is especially true in Oklahoma where nearly half of all earthquakes occur.
As of January 2019, nearly $2 million has been spent on this new earthquake monitoring system in Oklahoma, called Tostitos. This money came from a federal grant that was awarded in 2016 and 2017.
The goal is for this system to be up and running by March 2020, when the next presidential election will be held. If it is operational then almost every community with an active fracking operation will have been checked!
This sounds like good news as it might reduce the number of quakes occurring near our homes and places we spend most of our time.
Where are most US Earthquakes Located?
In total, there are six main regions where earthquakes are common. These include: Japan, China, India, Indonesia, and Oklahoma. These areas have a history of earthquakes, which makes it challenging to predict where an earthquake will occur.
It is important to mention that there have been few natural earthquakes in the United States compared to other parts of the world. So, when an earthquake does occur, it is usually very close to where you are located.
It is also important to mention that after an earthquake, there are often studies that look at the damage and find patterns of where people were hurt or what they were doing at the time. This information can be used in future seismic monitoring and prevention efforts.
This information can be valuable when planning emergency response efforts.
How do scientists connect fracking and earthquakes?
When scientists connect an earthquake with a nearby injection well, it is called geologic migration. The well is placed below a surface layer of rock that has created pockets and faults. These pockets can break and flow, attracting more underground minerals to breakapart in an earthquake.
This happens when the well is near a fault line or in an area where there has been water for a long time. When water breaks down rock, it can also gain additional earthquakes.
There are several dozen oil and gas wells in Oklahoma that are used for injection. Most of them are located in rural areas, away from population centers.
This makes them difficult to monitor, as there may be few clues about how often they inject liquid into them.
What is the magnitude of the problem?
Although the practice of fracking is controversial, it does not seem to be causing earthquakes in Oklahoma. However, this does not mean that it does not affect people negatively.
Some people are very sensitive to geothermal energy and other electromagnetic energies. Many feel that the recent media attention on the practice is a disadvantage as they seek employment or takes advantage of the opportunity.
This can be a difficult transition for people as they have to learn new processes and re-learn things they used to do at work or with family members and friends. It can also be stressful for those who do not yet understand how it works.
It is important for employers to get feedback on their sensitivity levels from those who work for them. It is also important for individuals who use this energy source to learn how to avoid unnecessary anxiety when working with others in the workplace or at social events.