Geologists report new discoveries about Kansas, Oklahoma earthquakes

[rangerrebew]

Geologists report new discoveries about Kansas, Oklahoma earthquakes
December 14, 2017, University of Kansas
 
The number of earthquakes striking south-central Kansas has skyrocketed. This map shows the 2,522 earthquakes that occurred from May 2015  to July 2017 in all of Sumner County, small segments of Sedgwick County to the north and a portion of Harper County to the west. During this period, Sumner County alone experienced about 2,400 earthquakes, ranging from 0.4 to 3.6 magnitude. A 3.0 magnitude earthquake is usually felt by humans. Red circles indicate earthquakes. Triangles indicate sensors the geologists used to study the earthquakes. Citation: K.A. Nolte, G.P. Tsoflias, T.S. Bidgoli, W.L. Watney, Shear-wave anisotropy reveals pore fluid pressure-induced seismicity in the U.S. midcontinent. Credit: Sci. Adv. 3, e1700443 (2017).

As concern rises about earthquakes induced by human activity like oil exploration, geologists at the University of Kansas report a new understanding about recent earthquakes in Kansas and Oklahoma. This breakthrough may one day lead to a method for predicting where induced earthquakes might occur and may help the energy industry and regulators decide where they can safely place wells.

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-geologists-discoveries-kansas-oklahoma-earthquakes.html

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Seems some of this could be due to more and improved recording instruments, and not more earthquakes.

[Joe Wooten]

Seems some of this could be due to more and improved recording instruments, and not more earthquakes.

Agreed. The same applies to the pollution scares promulgated in the media the last 5-6 years. 15 years ago, you could not measure such small concentrations reliably.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Agreed. The same applies to the pollution scares promulgated in the media the last 5-6 years. 15 years ago, you could not measure such small concentrations reliably.

They are calling an 'earthquake' if it registers 3.0 or greater.

It is extremely unlikely that a magnitude 3.0 earthquake will cause anything but minor damage. Los Angeles and San Francisco copes with them all the time.  Do those living there flee for safety?

A snapshot of how many earthquakes occur each year shows a high number.