A seismologist has revealed that oil and gas drilling caused the largest earthquake ever recorded in Alberta, measuring a magnitude 4

Key Highlights :

The recent earthquake that shook the province of Alberta, Canada in November has been the subject of much speculation. Was it natural or was it caused by human activity? Two experts from different universities have come to different conclusions.

A geologist from the University of Calgary claimed that the November earthquake was probably natural. However, a seismologist from Stanford University concluded that the earthquake was caused by wastewater disposal produced by nearby fracking.

Fracking is a controversial method of extracting oil and gas from the ground. It involves pumping a high-pressure mixture of water and chemicals into the ground to break up the rock and release the oil and gas. The wastewater produced by fracking is then disposed of in deep underground wells.

Satellite observations have picked up a 3.4-centimeter uplift in the ground at the time of the earthquake, which is likely caused by the high volume of disposed wastewater. This evidence suggests that the earthquake was indeed caused by fracking.

Earthquakes of similar magnitude to the Peace River event could be damaging, even deadly, if they happened in more populated areas. This is why it is important to understand the cause of the earthquake and take the necessary steps to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.

The seismologist from Stanford University has also warned that carbon capture and storage could trigger the same seismic dynamics as wastewater from fracking, which could be harmful to the environment. Carbon capture and storage involves capturing carbon dioxide from power plants and storing it deep underground.

The experts have concluded that the November earthquake in Alberta, Canada was likely caused by wastewater disposal produced by nearby fracking. The evidence suggests that carbon capture and storage could also trigger similar seismic dynamics, which could be harmful to the environment. It is important to understand the cause of the earthquake and take the necessary steps to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.

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