KS Rocked by 80+ Earthquakes So Far in 2014
More than 80 earthquakes have rocked southern Kansas since the beginning of this year (2014). That's more than double last year's total. So, what's causing all this seismic activity in a state not known for earthquakes? The answer remains unclear. One theory involves waste water disposal wells, used by the oil and gas industry. These wells produce millions of gallons of waste water that must be disposed of deep in the ground -- and some suggest that process may be triggering the quakes. Rex Buchanan, Director of the Kansas Geological Survey, served on an earthquake task force appointed by the governor.
The governor's task force has recommended more seismic monitoring in south-central Kansas to try to identify where, exactly, the earthquakes are occurring and whether they may indeed be induced, or... man-made quakes.
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(Interview version)
What's Causing All the Kansas Quakes?
Since the beginning of this year, more than 80 earthquakes have rocked southern Kansas. That's more than double the number recorded last year. An earthquake task force reported its findings to the governor earlier this month and concluded that there's no clear answer as to what's causing so much seismic activity. Some suspect that oil and gas production is to blame. KPR's J. Schafer spoke with task force member Rex Buchanan, the interim director of the Kansas Geological Survey, to learn what might be causing all these earthquakes.
That's Rex Buchanan, a member of the governor's task force that's been looking into increased seismic activity in Kansas. He was speaking with KPR's J. Schafer.