It turns out wastewater from the controversial practice of fracking appears to a contributing factor for more than a hundred earthquakes in Ohio back in 2011.
Scientists were baffled as to why Youngstown, Ohio — a town that had no reported quakes before January 2011 — suddenly experienced 109 small ones. (Via CBS)
But after two years of research, scientists have linked the opening of a wastewater injection well site near Youngstown to the mysterious earthquakes. (Via WDTN)
The practicing of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves injecting water, sand, and other materials under high pressures into a well to fracture rock underground. This opens up fissures that help oil and natural gas flow out of the ground more freely. (Via YouTube / MarathonOilCorp)
But furious debate has erupted over the safety of fracking. Advocates say it's an economical source of clean energy while critics argue it can taint drinking water, among other problems. (Via WENY)
Many people have stepped up to stop the spread of this controversial practice, including actor Matt Damon, whose film "Promised Land" attempted to tell audiences about the consequences of fracking. (Via YouTube / Movies Coming Soon)
Scientists say fracking in itself didn’t cause the root problem in Ohio, but pressure from wastewater injection may have caused this fault to rupture.
The earthquakes in Ohio were never very powerful and didn't cause any serious injuries or damages. But the fact that they occurred in the midwest — a region not known for its faultlines — is a cause for concern. (Via LiveScience)
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