Fracking Fears Grow as Oklahoma Hit by More Earthquakes Than California

[xchrom]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-07/oklahoma-temblors-outpace-california-as-fracking-booms.html


Austin Holland, pictured, Oklahoma’s seismology chief, is determined to findhe cause of an unprecedented earthquake epidemic in the state.

Squinting into a laptop perched on the back of his pickup, Austin Holland searches for a signal from a coffee-can-sized sensor buried under the grassy prairie.

Holland, Oklahoma’s seismology chief, is determined to find the cause of an unprecedented earthquake epidemic in the state. And he suspects pumping wastewater from oil and gas drilling back into the Earth has a lot to do with it.

“If my research takes me to the point where we determine the safest thing to do is to shut down injection -- and consequently production -- in large portions of the state, then that’s what we have to do,” Holland said. “That’s for the politicians and the regulators to work out.”

So far this year, Oklahoma has had more than twice the number of earthquakes as California, making it the most seismically active state in the continental U.S. As recently as 2003, Oklahoma was ranked 17th for earthquakes. That shift has given rise to concern among communities and environmentalists that injecting vast amounts of wastewater back into the ground is contributing to the rise in Oklahoma’s quakes. The state pumps about 350,000 barrels of oil a day, making it the fifth largest producer in the U.S.

[redstatebluegirl]

1. Nothing will be done

because every politician Democrats and Republicans are bought and paid for by the oil and gas industry. They have more power than God down here. How else could an idiot like Mary Fallin get elected and most likely re-elected???

Our foundation has been repaired twice since we moved in due to the clay our house is built on. These are small shakes, 2.5 to 4.0 but they have to be doing damage to foundations with so many happening. California builds with earthquakes in mind, we build with twisters in mind.

[CanonRay]

2. I would think it's going to get hard to sell a house down there

Lots of hidden damage until there's an inspection. I think you are right, OK politicians have been in big oils pocket for a very long time.

[Nihil]

3. "determined to find the cause of an unprecedented earthquake epidemic"?

If Mr.Holland was appointed "Oklahoma’s seismology chief" for scientific rather
than political reasons then he already knows the cause. It isn't rocket science.
It is well proven and there is abundant evidence for the linkage.

What he has to do is find the courage to tell people.

He knows that the minute he pops his head up to open his mouth, he (and his
family, friends, colleagues & supporters) will be the target of unbounded hatred,
libel, slander & physical threats. He will be at risk from every retarded redneck
with a gun (or access to explosives) who will be deliberately driven onwards
in their ignorance by the corrupt & greedy owners of the state (and country
for that matter).

In sharp contrast to the case of brainwashed religious morons, it is a very
hard decision for an intelligent objective person to knowingly become a martyr.