Seismic Activity Report: Earthquakes in West Texas and Northern Mexico

On Friday, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck West Texas, followed by a magnitude 3 quake in Mexico. The U.S. Geological Survey attributed the increase in seismic activity primarily to wastewater disposal associated with oil production, rather than hydraulic fracturing.

On Friday, a preliminary magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck West Texas, approximately 16 miles southwest of Ackerly and at a depth of 4.2 miles beneath the surface. The epicenter is situated around 62 miles northeast of Midland by road, with the tremor occurring at 12:33 p.m. MT.

Concurrently, another earthquake registered a preliminary magnitude of 3 near the Mexico border, occurring just two minutes prior, around 12:31 p.m. MT. This tremor was situated about 33 miles south-southwest of Sierra Blanca, Texas, and occurred at a depth of 6.5 miles.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has indicated that most induced earthquakes are not directly caused by hydraulic fracturing (fracking), but rather by the disposal of wastewater produced during oil extraction. This process has been linked to a recent increase in seismic activity in the central United States.

According to the USGS, wastewater disposal wells generally operate longer and inject greater volumes than hydraulic fracturing, increasing the likelihood of inducing earthquakes. Furthermore, the agency noted, “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, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake occurred in West Texas, with additional seismic activity near the Mexico border. The USGS attributes the rise in seismic events predominantly to wastewater disposal related to oil production, rather than fracking. As seismic events in the region continue to be monitored, the connection between these activities and induced earthquakes remains a focus of ongoing research.

Original Source: www.lonestarlive.com