Several earthquakes in March in Ohio's Poland Township have been linked to shale fracking, resulting in suspension of oil and gill drilling at seven wells near the quakes. Previous Ohio earthquakes were linked to disposal of wastewater from fracking.
Unlike the earlier quakes around Youngstown that were thought to be connected to the disposal of the wastewater composed of sand, water and chemicals that result from the shale fracking process, the March quakes around Poland in Mahoning County are believed to show a "probable connection to hydraulic fracturing near a previously unknown microfault," states the Aril 11 press release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
ONDR ordered work halted at seven area wells on April 7 "near the Pennsylvania border after the two earthquakes earlier in the day. The quakes, of magnitude 2.6 and 3.0, caused no damage or injuries but were felt in nearby towns," writes
Mark Bruce, a spokesman for the department, said it was too early to determine whether drilling operations induced the earthquakes. “What we’re focusing on now is getting all the data from the company,” he said. “We’ll examine it first and decide next steps after that.”
Fountain elaborates on the wastewater disposal considered to be the more prevalent and serious cause of fracking-induced earthquakes.
Over the past decade, shale oil and gas production has been linked to earthquakes in Ohio, Arkansas, Oklahoma and other states, and in several countries. In most cases, however, the quakes were tied to disposal wells, in which wastewater from oil and gas production is injected under pressure into permeable rock formations. The water is thought to alter pressures underground and unclamp old faults, allowing them to slip.
The video, "Man Made Quakes" that accompanies the article illustrates the fracking wastewater connection.
In addition to halting drilling at the seven wells, ODNR is requiring that seismic monitors be installed "for horizontal drilling within 3 miles of a known fault or area of seismic activity greater than a 2.0 magnitude," states the press release. If significant seismic activity is recorded, a moratorium could be put in place while ODNR develops "new criteria and permit conditions for new applications."
FULL STORY: Ohio Looks at Whether Fracking Led to 2 Quakes
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie