Shake, rattle, and roll. Even gas wells, such as this experimental platform in Colorado in the 1980s, can trigger quakes, a new report finds.
Credit: U.S. Department of Energy
Posted on 06/16/2012 6:37:10 PM PDT by neverdem
Pumping all manner of fluids into deep rock formations has triggered earthquakes strong enough to cause a bit of damage while seriously rattling the local populace, a committee of the National Research Council (NRC) concluded in a report released today.
Fracking for natural gas and oil, formally known as hydraulic fracturing, has been responsible for only one or two triggering episodes, the committee found. But hundreds of felt quakes in 13 states have been produced by the deep injection of wastewater from fracking and other industrial activities, as well as the creation of geothermal energy sites, the enhanced recovery of oil and gas, and even the simple extraction of oil and gas. And capturing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from power plants and pumping it into the ground "may have potential for inducing larger seismic events," the committee found, because much larger volumes would be involved.
The committee also concluded that drillers could better anticipate and ameliorate the seismic hazards of fluid injection. The basic science is well understood, it noted, but forecasting the hazard from induced earthquakes and taking steps to minimize the risk have been frustrated by the dearth of detailed geologic and geophysical observations of specific sites.
Assessments of the risk of induced seismicity "should be undertaken before operations begin in areas with a known history of felt seismicity," the committee wrote. Such pre-injection studies have generally not been done in the past, although some new state regulations are moving in that direction. And of course, "Further research is required."
sorry , I had beans for dinner
Well... it's probably just as well.
It’s probably a side-effect of liquefaction.
These people just want us to stop from using natural resources.
If humans are triggering quakes then that is good news. Several small quakes may keep the stress from building into a large one. The bottom line is, where there is tectonism there are going to be quakes, regardless of human activity.
Besides, Gaia enjoys getting drilled, fracked, and injected.
Act quickly, EPA!!!! Oil and natural gas extraction via fracking will kill us all!!!!
The Dimw have been bleating this for some time now. Expect them and their MSM cheerleaders to continue to bang their solar powered clean energy drums against any sensible energy policy.
Wasn’t this idea that somehow fracking is causing earthquakes already disproved? Sounds like somebody is late ...
the earth is quaking , fracking right
If our enemies (and the Arabs are our enemies) knew they were sitting on the windfall that we are, they wouldn’t let worries about earthquakes stop them from turning on the spigot. They’re not culturally suicidal like we are.
I’m more concerned about Guam tipping over. When are they going to address that!!?
‘Cause the walls start shaking
The earth was quaking
My mind was aching
And we were making it and you -
CHORUS:
Shook me all night long
Yeah you shook me all night long
Mother Gaia and the Frackers
This just in: Automobiles driving on interstates are adding to wind pollution and causing hurricanes. Anyone who disagrees with the science is a moron.
What a biased title to this article! The first page of the executive summary says that there is a low probability that fracking will cause felt seismic events.
Injection wells have been well documented to have caused minor earthquakes but its not known to be true of fracking.
However these “earthquakes” are about as dangerous as a heavy tuck passing on the road.
The End Justifies the Means (DREAM Act through executive fiat)
IPAB, Obamacare’s Super-Legislature
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Thanks for the ping!
It’s too dang bad we can no longer trust any science turned out with an environMENTAList agenda anymore. But we can’t. It is like anything turned out in social - ist ‘sciences’ you can know is the opposite of the findings.
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