Earthquake are no longer just a natural hazard
Staff writer ▼ | March 31, 2016
Northern Oklahoma is just as susceptible to a damaging earthquake within the next year as the most quake-prone areas of California.Article continues below
That’s because earthquakes are no longer just a natural hazard, the U.S. Geological Survey says. In its new quake hazards forecast, the agency for the first time has included artificially triggered seismicity.
An increased risk in the central United States largely stems from sites where fluids, such as wastewater from fracking, are injected underground. Rising fluid pressure underground can unclamp faults and unleash earthquakes.
From 1973 to 2008, an average of 24 potentially damaging quakes rattled the central United States each year. From 2009 to 2015, an uptick in fracking activity helped skyrocket that number to 318 annual quakes on average, with a record-setting 1,010 tremors in 2015 alone.
Around 7 million people currently live and work in central and eastern U.S. areas vulnerable to shakes stemming from earthquakes roughly above magnitude 2.7, USGS scientists estimate.
Human-caused quakes aren’t as powerful as their natural counterparts (the strongest induced quake in the United States clocked in at magnitude 5.6 in 2011 compared with the magnitude 7.8 San Francisco temblor in 1906, for instance).
But the potential for more powerful shakes exists, the scientists warn. The new hazard assessment should help regulators revise building codes to better prepare for the rising risk. ■ What to read next
The writers and Hollywood studios reached a deal on Sunday to end the nearly five-month long strike.
Latest Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Robinson travels to Colombia
Libya orders 8 officials arrested after flood disaster
Lyon Shipyard creating 134 new jobs in Norfolk, Virginia
Texas Governor and Hungarian President met for first time
More than 2,200 people seek medical help after dust storm in Iran
Bermuda government hit by cyber attack
UK cheesemakers in perfect storm
254 kg of methamphetamine seized in Myanmar's eastern state
16 killed in accident at state coal mine in China's Guizhou province
China completes drilling at 100 million tonne oilfield
Two of three ships sailing outside 'grain corridor' moor at Pivdenny port
Highlights: September 18, 2023 - September 24, 2023
Saudi Arabia announces vaccine manufacturing facility, creation of 150 jobs
Canadian autoworkers vote on new deal with Ford
Trending Now
Trilateral negotiations on Ethiopia’s Nile dam without deal
Philippines vows to remove Chinese barriers in disputed waters
Australia extends punitive tariffs on imports from Russia, Belarus for 2 years
UK warns of risks posed by AI, calling for joint action
Italy criticizes Germany for funding migrant charities
Today We Recommend Highlights
EnergyAustralia in court over alleged misleading electricity price information
Shree Renuka Sugars to acquire Anamika Sugar Mills
Hybrid cars less polluting than electric cars, says Toyota
Tecnológico de Monterrey opens additive manufacturing laboratory in Mexico
Schiphol Amsterdam Airport starts building Netherlands’ largest car rental location
Lithium Energi Exploration appoints Jason Nalewanyj as CFO
High Liner Foods appoints Paul Jewer as interim CEO
BP CEO resigns over personal relationships with colleagues, Auchincloss new interim CEO
Norgine appoints Saulo Martiniano as COO
Greenbrook announces key promotions, expansion of its senior team
Spain's economy grows 0.5 pct in Q2
Slow growth for Taiwan
Canadian economy set for another quarter of limited growth
World Bank: Tanzania's economy set to grow by 5.1 pct in 2023
New Zealand GDP up 0.9 pct quarterly
FedEx Q1 profit $1.08 billion
Darden Restaurants Q1 profit $194.5 million
General Mills Q1 profit $673.5 million
AutoZone Q4 profit $864.84 million
LightInTheBox Q2 revenues increased by 44.9%
Niger set to monetize massive gas reserves through Saharan natural gas pipeline
Putting the brakes on EV folly that choked the market
Oil discovery in Kavango Basin may mean huge benefits for Namibians
Cape Town and Dubai battle over Africa's energy future
Is America going to lose its superpower status?
First Western Australian commercial avocado shipment arrives in Thailand
Switzerland must defend Gruyère cheese in trade agreements
All bee colonies in Switzerland are sick
Russian producers received record compensation for hogs lost to ASF
Morocco sends over half of its tomato exports to France
Investors less likely to sell losing stocks when entire portfolio is at loss
How managers can encourage employees to share their best ideas
More than 50% of software leader roles will explicitly require oversight of generative AI
Gartner survey: Half of candidates accepted job offer and backed out before starting
Educational bootcamps can help people switch careers, says study
Commission re-imposes €376.36 million fine on Intel for anticompetitive practices in market for computer chips
Goldman Sachs to pay SEC $6 million in penalties for providing deficient blue sheet data
Commission fines defence company €1.2 million in cartel settlement
SEC charges Aras Investment Business Group in Ponzi scheme targeting Spanish speaking U.S. investors
SEC charges Lyft with failure to disclose board member’s interest in private shareholder’s transaction before IPO
Magazine
151 room Taj the Trees hotel opens in Mumbai
Festival of films made by kids returns to Blatimore, Md.
World's glass blowing artists will come to Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival
Cous Cous Fest in Sicily, make cous cous not war
Zeppelin flies again and it's better than ever
Ares Modena S1 is real take on Corvette
Toyota to launch new Century in Japan
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, pure beauty with 750 hp
Grand Soleil 40, fast and responsive boat
Zenvo Aurora, Danish miracle with turbocharged V12 engine
Graff, obsession with perfection
Ballerina kitchens, the dance of style and function
Big ideas for small interiors
How to choose colors for your walls
Vintage chairs to embellish any room
HP Spectre Foldable PC, interesting laptop but $5000 for it is way too much
Deutsche Telekom Fairphone 5, sustainable and ethical smartphone you can repair yourself
Canon MS-500, ultra sensitive camera for professionals
Nikon Z 8, full frame mirrorless camera for professionals
Reed Muse 3A turntable, good design and even better music
Cambodia confirms first case of Zika infection since 2016
European Commission approves Menarini Group's ORSERDU (elacestrant)
Study finds wrist temperature linked with future risk of disease
Almost everyone in Europe breathing toxic air
Clinical trial of HIV vaccine begins in U.S. and South Africa
Astronomers discover newborn galaxies with James Webb
Hidden ocean source of CO2 on Jupiter moon Europa
China builds first antenna for world's largest radio telescope array
James Webb and ALMA capture core of most distant galaxy protocluster
'Alien' bodies are complete skeletons, scientists say