US scientists studying the effects of fracking have confirmed that wastewater injections are directly responsible for causing earthquakes.
Seismologists say that since 2008, there has been the same increase in earthquake activity as there has been in hydraulic fracturing.
Pravdareport.com reports:
The scientists connect the increased seismic activity with wastewater injections used in drilling for oil and gas, which generates an increase of hydrodynamic pressure. As a result it leads to a rupturing and uplift of the ground. And that can be detected from a satellite.
Seismologists have thoroughly studied seismic activity in the eastern part of Texas, and estimate changes at a range of wells. The observance was carried out in 2007, 2010, and 2014.
The results confirmed that earthquakes like that in Texas in 2014 were generated by wastewater injections. The scientists believe that satellites may improve forecasts of the man-made earthquakes.
The shale gale in the US also caused health problems to people who live not far from the wells. In Pennsylvania, where the most active development is taking place, the number of hospitalized people because of heart diseases has grown.