Both the disposal of wastewater and fracking itself have been identified as causing thousands of earthquakes, mostly small, but some large enough to cause property damage and injure people.  The earthquakes can continue long after the initial activity is over. Areas close to fault lines are particularly vulnerable and in BC, Canada’s leading seismologist recommends prohibiting fracking within 5 km of hydroelectric dams.  Researchers are studying the relationship between fracking and earthquakes, trying to better predict ‘induced seismicity’.

 

Last Modified: May 26, 2023