INCREASED EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY IN OKLAHOMA: IS IT RELATED TO SALT WATER INJECTION DISPOSAL?

A recent increase of earthquakes into Oklahoma and surrounding states in the Midwest have scientists baffled. Oklahoma is known for tornadoes and other severe weather activity but it now surpasses California in the number of earthquakes per day. Using data from The USGS earthquake site and two seismographs stationed at West Chester University of Pennsylvania and Delaware County Community College, Media PA, we analyzed the number and magnitude of these earthquakes over the past 12 months. Importing this data into ArcGIS™, ArcSCENE™ and Microsoft Excel™ shows the increasing frequencies and magnitudes of the earthquakes. With this data we analyzed the depths and epicenters in relation to wells to show a possible connection between the earthquake activity and salt water disposal injection. If salt water disposal injection is the cause behind this influx, could this scenario be seen in Northeast States such as Pennsylvania? This study will provide data, maps and 3D map images in order to show a connection between tectonic activity and salt water injection disposal.