Swarm Of Earthquakes (Why Won't The TV Stations Investigate Further?)

[Doug Loudenback]

i love when people try to blame the "evil oil companies" for any and everything.

I blame it on Southside.

(Just kidding, Southside buddies!)

[rcjunkie]

I blame it on Southside.

(Just kidding, Southside buddies!)

[jbrown84]

Where's Karen Silkwood when we need her?!

Too soon?

[Doug Loudenback]

Where's Karen Silkwood when we need her?!

Too soon?

Too late. She's toast.

[BDP]

I can, to a point, see where people pass blame for energy and fuel price increases on companies like Devon and Chesapeake, but Earthquakes--tell me you kidding.

i love when people try to blame the "evil oil companies" for any and everything.

All the conspiracy wackos came out of the woodwork blaming Chesapeake drilling.

I don't understand this reaction. Chesapeake has acknowledged that earthquakes could be related to their activities ( Wastewater Disposal Well May Have Caused Texas Earthquakes - WSJ.com) and it has long been understood that some techniques used in fossil fuel extraction can lead to seismic activity. Mining, dam construction, or any large scale project that changes geological pressures and environments has the potential to create some seismic side effects. This isn't some conspiracy or wacko fueled fantasy. It's just geology.

Should someone investigate the quakes? Of course. It would be great to better understand our geology, imo. And some of the strongest quakes in recorded history happened in middle America, but the reason for it is not relatively well known. Maybe studying this activity can she some light on that.

And, if it turns out oil and gas activity has something to do with it, that wouldn't make them evil at all. If they know it's causing the quakes and do nothing about it, cover it up, or ignore it, then that would make them evil. But, as pointed out in the article above, Chesapeake shut down some waste water disposal wells as a precautionary measure, because they were potentially causing some quakes in the DFW area. In the end, it sounds like 1) many non-crazy unwacko people recognize that quakes and drilling activity can be related and 2) some companies who have engaged in this activity have been extremely responsible in their response to this possibility.

It's just funny how some get so defensive about something that doesn't need defending.

[jstanthrnme]

I think some of this activity could be partially be the result of drilling.

I would like to see some more research done and questions asked about it whatever the cause might be.

This happened in 2005 if you remember. Mysterious and unusual at first, it was ultimately attributed to drilling.

The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK - Mysterious Kingfisher-area gas geysers leave officials puzzled

[muzique808]

And have to remember aren't most of these "earthquakes" not even noticeable (just on the meters) in other words if you hadn't seen it mentioned on the news you wouldn't even know it happened?

Unless you live near this area, as I do. I've definitely noticed the last few.

[Larry OKC]

Lets see...

Earthquake frequency in OK - KFOR

NewsOK

Another Earthquake Rattles Jones Over Weekend - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

Another Earthquake Rocks Oklahoma - Oklahoma City News Story - KOCO Oklahoma City

You're right...no news coverage at all ...

but that wasn't his point...there is "coverage" but it is minimal...I looked at each of your links and thre was no follow-up investigative questions being asked. The only questions asked were by one of the residents quoted.

[Larry OKC]

...

Larry - those that have been reported were felt by those living in the area. You can feel/hear a 2.0....I've had one of those at my house at 240/Sooner.

What I was trying to say that these were mainly low/no impact earthquakes (that basically unless you are at or very near the epicenter, you don't know about it). One of the linked articles put it this way "As with the others, no damage or injuries were reported." Some dishes rattled...a menu fell to the floor.

Not exactly California breaking off into the ocean or even changing the course of the Mississippi River type stuff is all I was trying to say.

[sumrzz]

How ironic is it that during the Holidays there are no Earthquakes here. )))

Here is my prediction. There will be 2 to 3 Earthquakes that will happen between now and this next Friday January 1st 2010

[kmf563]

It's the end of the world, didn't you know?? We didn't have any EARTHQUAKES in Oklahoma over Christmas because we were busy having a BLIZZARD. Two things you wouldn't think you would have to worry about in Oklahoma. hmmm.

[venture]

How ironic is it that during the Holidays there are no Earthquakes here. )))

Here is my prediction. There will be 2 to 3 Earthquakes that will happen between now and this next Friday January 1st 2010

Wow you can predict them now? That's pretty damn impressive.