According to the U.S. Geological Survey annual forecast on natural and human–induced seismic risk, Oklahoma and Kansas may experience serious ground shaking during 2017 due to the drilling activity of the oil and gas industry.
The USGS forecast comes after a series of earthquakes in Oklahoma during 2016, which coincided with the increased drilling activity in the state. The phenomenon is attributed to the underground disposal of saltwater - a natural byproduct of oil and gas production. Wastewater disposal wells inject fluid into usually never-touched-before rocks, thus raising pressure levels and increasing the likelihood for an earthquake.
Human – caused earthquake risk was identified by USGS for the first time last year. Experts state that earthquake activity is now hundreds of times higher, compared to 2008, when drilling for oil and gas began to thrive. In 2016, Oklahoma was struck by a 5.6 Magnitude earthquake - the largest ever recorded in the state – and experienced the highest number of large earthquakes compared to any prior year.
According to the USGS, this year's forecast indicates decreased seismic risk compared to 2016 – partly because the oil and gas industry has reduced its drilling activity due to the lower energy prices. However, the danger for people of Oklahoma to experience a damaging quake during 2017 still remains significant.
Oklahoma authorities have already ordered wastewater disposal wells owners to reduce disposal volumes, especially in parts of the state where the temblors have been more frequent.
Source: Reuters
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