103 earthquakes in 80 days in Texas! Are oil and gas extractions responsible for this? Details here
Texas has experienced 103 earthquakes in 80 days with some of them measuring about 5 on the Richter scale? Justin Rubinstein, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, California, has said Texas has experienced a total of 103 earthquakes, including 12 of magnitude three or more, reports 'USA Today'. He also said that the state is not a seismically active part of the country and these earthquakes are not occurring naturally. Explaining the phenomenon, Rubinstein said it is «almost 99% likely» to be linked to local oil fields.
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Earthquake of magnitude 5.0 on Richter Scale
Scurry County Judge Dan Hicks said that the first earthquake was felt the night of July 22, it registered a magnitude of 4.9 on the Richter scale. He also said that «damage has been found throughout Scurry County in businesses and residences.» He also said that the workers in the building were alarmed as the earthquake measuring 5.0 rattled them.
«Oil and gas extractions behind earthquakes»
Talking to 'USA Today', Rubenstein said that these earthquakes were related to oil and gas extractions. Elaborating on the cause of the unusual number of earthquakes, he said the temblors are very likely linked to new forms of oil and natural gas drilling technology. They allow companies to drill not just down into the earth but horizontally along an oil formation.
