Recent Earthquakes Impact West Texas and Northern Mexico
On Friday, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit West Texas near Ackerly, followed closely by a magnitude 3 quake in Mexico near the Texas border. The US Geological Survey stated that the increase in earthquakes is largely due to wastewater disposal from oil production rather than hydraulic fracturing, indicating a trend in seismic activity linked to waste management practices in the energy sector.
On Friday, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck West Texas, approximately 16 miles southwest of Ackerly, occurring 4.2 miles beneath the surface. This event transpired at 12:33 p.m. Mountain Time, with Ackerly located about 62 miles northeast of Midland by road.
Additionally, a preliminary magnitude 3 earthquake occurred shortly before, at 12:31 p.m. Mountain Time, near the Mexican border, approximately 33 miles south-southwest of Sierra Blanca, Texas. This quake was recorded at a depth of about 6.5 miles.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the increased seismic activity in central United States is primarily attributed to the disposal of waste fluids from oil production, rather than hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The USGS noted that “most induced earthquakes are not directly caused by hydraulic fracturing.”
The agency further elaborated that wastewater disposal wells generally function for longer durations and inject significantly greater volumes of fluid than are involved in the fracking process, thus they are more likely to trigger earthquakes. The USGS pointed out, “The largest earthquake known to be induced by hydraulic fracturing in the United States was a magnitude 4.0 earthquake that occurred in 2018 in Texas.”
In summary, two earthquakes were reported near the Texas-Mexico border on Friday, including a magnitude 4.8 quake in West Texas and a magnitude 3 quake in Mexico. The USGS attributes the rise in seismic activity in the region primarily to the disposal of wastewater from oil production. Unlike fracking, wastewater disposal wells are noted for their longer operational durations and higher fluid injection volumes, enhancing the likelihood of inducing earthquakes.
Original Source: www.lonestarlive.com
