Surge in Earthquakes Attributed to Oil Production, Including a 4.9 Magnitude in Texas
Late Monday evening, a significant 4.9 magnitude earthquake startled West Texas, marking the most intense in a series of three seismic events that day.
Occurring at 10:38 p.m., this quake, along with its predecessors, was directly linked to local oil production activities, stirring up more than just the earth.
After the Big One: More Quakes in Scurry County
The tremors didn’t stop with the initial jolt.
![A green road sign displaying "Scurry County Line," located beside a rural highway under a clear blue sky](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/07/71c39281-untitled-design-43.jpg)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Scurry County experienced two additional quakes within hours—the first, a 4.4 magnitude at around 10:46 p.m., and then a smaller, yet noticeable 3.1 magnitude quake just before midnight.
From the Expert’s Mouth: Oil Operations to Blame
Justin Rubinstein, a geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey, clarified the unusual activity, stating, “We can say with confidence that these are related to oil and gas extractions.”
![Multiple oil pump jacks, also known as nodding donkeys, operating in a field](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/07/90833dfe-untitled-design-44.jpg)
Source: Documerica/Unsplash
This link points to a growing concern about the impact of heavy industry on the traditionally stable geologic landscape.
A Record-Setting Shake
Not just any tremor, the 4.9 quake tied as the eighth strongest in Texas history.
![A rural road passing through Scurry County, Texas, with a green "Scurry County Line" sign by the roadside and wind turbines in the background](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/07/e9d21ee3-untitled-design-45.jpg)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Such a record highlights the escalating seismic responses in areas engaged in extensive oil production, an alarming trend for a region not known for natural seismic events.
Close Call: No Harm Done
Fortunately, the quakes struck areas with few residents, and no injuries or damage were reported.
![The Scurry County Courthouse in Texas, a modern brick building surrounded by lush green trees under a clear sky](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/07/837d40c8-untitled-design-46.jpg)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The community breathed a sigh of relief, but the increasing regularity and strength of these events are hard to ignore.
Breaking Old Records
The Monday night event surpassed previous records, overtaking a 4.6 magnitude quake at the Cogdell Oil Field as the largest believed to be induced by oil recovery methods.
![A landscape view of several oil pump jacks amidst a barren field, illustrating the industrial presence in rural areas](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/07/41b08d6b-untitled-design-47.jpg)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
It’s a clear sign that the stakes are getting higher in the balance between energy production and environmental safety.
What Are Induced Earthquakes?
Induced earthquakes, or quakes triggered by human activities like oil and gas extraction, are becoming a more common feature in the landscape of industrial areas.
![An oil pump jack operates in a vast, arid landscape under a clear blue sky, with few workers present and distant plains stretching behind](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/07/8732ed5e-untitled-design-48.jpg)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
This phenomenon is a stark reminder of the potent forces at play beneath our feet.
Seismic Activity on the Rise
Since 2019, the area around Monday’s epicenter has seen a significant increase in quakes.
![A debris field filled with discarded electronics, metal parts, and other refuse, soaked in muddy water](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/07/fb1c3a9c-untitled-design-49.jpg)
Source: Mark Stosberg/Unsplash
Researchers link this surge to new techniques aimed at squeezing more out of old oil fields, pushing the geological envelope further than ever before.
How Oil Recovery Shakes Things Up
Justin Rubinstein shed light on current practices: “Say you have 100 wells in one oil and gas reservoir. You take half of the field out of production, inject a bunch of water into those wells, and the water pushes the oil over to the other side where it can be extracted.”
![A solitary oil pump jack stands against a dramatic sunset, the sky painted in deep shades of orange and red](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/07/155b99fe-untitled-design-50.jpg)
Source: Zbynek Burival/Unsplash
It’s a delicate operation that sometimes shakes more than just the market.
Searching for the Source
While the investigation continues, it’s highly likely the recent spate of earthquakes was sparked by advanced recovery techniques.
![A close-up of a tall drilling rig tower against a blurred natural background](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/07/9d2cac55-untitled-design-51.jpg)
Source: Brad Weaver/Unsplash
These methods adjust the underground pressures that are crucial for accessing deeper, more stubborn reserves.
Tremors Beyond Texas
The ripples of activity extend beyond Texas borders.
![A highway leading into New Mexico under a vast sky with fluffy clouds, featuring a "Welcome to New Mexico" sign by the roadside](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/07/86e42dc1-untitled-design-52.jpg)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Nearby Whites City, New Mexico, felt a 4.2 magnitude quake, followed by a 3.2 magnitude shake earlier. These too are suspected to be consequences of oil-related activities such as fracking and the disposal of wastewater.
Fracking's Ripple Effects
Fracking involves injecting liquids at high pressure to crack open rock layers and is notorious for its environmental footprint, including large volumes of wastewater.
![A bustling fracking site filled with complex machinery and workers in safety gear, set against a backdrop of an excavated earth pit and industrial tanks](https://images.savvydime.com/2024/07/6cc2d3c3-untitled-design-53.jpg)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
This wastewater requires disposal in injection wells, a practice increasingly linked to the rising number of quakes. The interplay between pursuit of energy and environmental impact continues to challenge communities and regulators alike.