On Saturday, September 3, 2016, an Earthquake struck Oklahoma that was felt in 7 states. National attention was drawn to the connection between the earthquake and oil and gas drilling when state officials took down 32 of the state’s 3,200 active disposal wells. Disposal wells are used to get rid of wastewater from the drilling process and consist of water and chemicals that appear at the surface along with gas and oil pumped from the earth. The wastewater is pushed deeper into the ground than were the oil is found. The role of disposal wells causing earthquakes is still unknown, but government scientists claimed in March that the wells increase risk for induced earthquakes. Even after shutting down disposal wells, scientists say that all of the wastewater that has been pumped can still continue to cause problems.
This article addresses concerns about the earthquake on Saturday and how disposal wells could have possibly contributed to it. I think this situation deeply reflects how our interactions with the earth affect the environment and how technology can sometimes result in consequence. I think this relates to people contributing to climate change from burning fossil fuels and clearing forests. Both of these situations show how inventions that interfere with the earth can result in consequence.
http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/04/news/economy/oklahoma-earthquake-oil-gas-explainer/index.html
I had no idea that disposal wells could contribute to the production on an earthquake. I think that it is important that people are aware that the things they do can lead to enviornmental problems, and think of ways to help. We only have one Earth, and we all share it.
ReplyDeleteKiri Luckey: Oh wow i had no idea either! This is terrible, I agree people should be more aware of their enviroment.
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising how much of an affect we have on our Earth. We really need to be more aware of the things we do or else there will be no more Earth for us to live on in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI found it really interesting reading yours since we did the same topic. It truly is kind of scary to think about the huge impact the choices humans make effects the environment.
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