Arkansas geologist says quakes, fracking not connected
| Updated: 11/12/2010 4:04 pm |
Published: 11/12/2010 3:35 pm |
GUY, Ark. (AP) - An Arkansas Geological Survey official says there's no correlation between the hydraulic fracturing method used to extract natural gas and recent earthquakes in central Arkansas, but he said the deep-well disposal of liquids used in the process may be a factor.
Geohazards supervisor Scott Ausbrooks spoke to more than 300 residents about the seismic activity concentrated in the Guy area.
Ausbrooks said Tuesday more study is needed to determine whether the temblors have a natural cause or are connected to the process in which waste liquids are pumped under high pressure into deep injection wells that are then sealed.
He noted that an injection well at a Colorado chemical weapons manufacturing center was determined to be the cause of earthquake activity there in the 1960s.
A swarm of earthquakes in the Guy area began Oct. 1. As of 4pm, 5 earthquakes have struck the Guy area on Friday, the largest a 2.8 magnitude quake.
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