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Earthquake Warning Issued For Central Oklahoma

Posted by Unknown on from the cthulhu-rises dept.

New submitter bobbied (2522392) writes "A rare warning has been issued by the US Geological survey today, warning of an increased risk of a damaging earthquake (magnitude 5.0 or greater) in central Oklahoma. There have been more earthquakes in Oklahoma (per mile) than California this year, prompting the USGS to issue their warning today (May 5, 2014).

This warning is the first such warning to be issued for a state east of the Rockies."

5 of 127 comments (clear)

  1. Earthquakes competency by hcs_$reboot · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Finding out when (ie soon) and where an earthquake will occur is still almost pure luck. Of course, when the frequency of EQ is high, the probability that a bigger one happens is higher. But that almost the best we can predict. After the Tohoku EQ in Japan in 2011, amazing predictions were made by "specialists": a "big one" to occur in Tokyo within a couple of days, the Fuji mt to erupt soon, etc... nothing happened. (the cumulative probabilities of a big one in Tokyo was more than 90% at the time!).

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  2. More Fracking' Earthquakes by Anna+Merikin · · Score: 4, Informative

    The joint statement indicates that a likely contributing factor to the increase in earthquakes is wastewater disposal by injection into deep geologic formations. The water injection can increase underground pressures, lubricate faults and cause earthquakes – a process known as injection-induced seismicity. Much of this wastewater is a byproduct of oil and gas production and is routinely disposed of by injection into wells specifically designed and approved for this purpose. The recent earthquake rate changes are not due to typical, random fluctuations in natural seismicity rates.

    'Nuff said.

    1. Re:More Fracking' Earthquakes by MightyYar · · Score: 4, Funny

      No, definitely the moon. Some of the calmest seas you'll see are during hurricane conditions when the ocean is protected from the moon's gravitational forces by thick cloud cover.

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      W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
    2. Re: More Fracking' Earthquakes by MightyYar · · Score: 4, Funny

      Yes, this is why you never see meteorites on cloudy nights - there is no gravity to pull them into the earth's atmosphere.

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      W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
  3. Re:fraud opportunity! by night_flyer · · Score: 3, Informative

    Not if you specifically purchase "earthquake" insurance, Ive had that on my house(s) for the last 15 years, looking like I got a good deal now...

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