On Friday, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake hit West Texas, followed by a 3.0 magnitude tremor near the border in Mexico. The US Geological Survey links increased earthquakes to wastewater disposal from oil production rather than hydraulic fracturing.
A preliminary magnitude 4.8 earthquake occurred on Friday in West Texas, 16 miles southwest of Ackerly, Texas, at a depth of approximately 4.2 miles. The quake struck around 12:33 p.m. Mountain Time and is situated roughly 62 miles northeast of Midland by road.
Additionally, another tremor registered a preliminary magnitude of 3.0, occurring shortly before the larger quake at 12:31 p.m. Mountain Time. This second earthquake was located near the Texas-Mexico border, approximately 33 miles south-southwest of Sierra Blanca, at a depth of around 6.5 miles.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), “most induced earthquakes are not directly caused by hydraulic fracturing (fracking).” The USGS attributes the recent increase in seismic activity in the central United States primarily to the disposal of wastewater fluids that result from oil production.
The USGS further elaborated that, “wastewater disposal wells typically operate for longer durations and inject much more fluid than is injected during the hydraulic fracturing process, making them more likely to induce earthquakes.” Furthermore, they noted that the largest earthquake induced by hydraulic fracturing in the United States was a magnitude 4.0 event that took place in Texas in 2018.
In summary, a preliminary magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck West Texas, coinciding with another tremor of a magnitude 3.0 in Mexico. The USGS attributes the rise in earthquakes mainly to wastewater disposal from oil production rather than fracking. They emphasize the prolonged and substantial fluid injections from disposal wells as a significant factor in inducing seismic events.
Original Source: www.lonestarlive.com
