June 2, 2021

Earthquake “Swarms” Linked to Wastewater Injection in California

Earthquake “Swarms” Linked to Wastewater Injection in California

June 2, 2021

The USGS has long established a strong link between wastewater injection and earthquakes in many states that previously had practically no seismic activity (i.e., Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana).  However, this cause-effect analysis was much more difficult in California due to its many faults and history of natural earthquakes, thus making it much more difficult to separate out the “human induced” earthquakes from wastewater injection.  This article points to “swarms” of earthquake activity around areas of California that occurred immediately after high levels of wastewater injection (mainly from the oil/gas “produced water”) occurred.  ECOVAP is proud to have already had a significant impact on reducing the seismicity (and underground aquifer contamination, not covered in this article) risk as our second largest installation is located in Southern California, allowing our company to reduce the trucking and wastewater disposal volumes of a large mine by over 95% (see Case Studies - Mining).

Article:

Wastewater disposal and earthquake swarm activity at the southern end of the Central Valley, California

Latest News

50mn Gallons of Mining Wastewater Released Daily
March 2020
There are an estimated 161,000 abandoned mining sites across the U.S., most of which have left behind contaminated soils or toxic lakes that seep into rivers and underground aquifers.
Large Montana Mine Unable to Renew Prior Wastewater Disposal License
March 2020
Underscoring a trend of less tolerance for “legacy” wastewater practices, various environmental groups successfully argued that a permit for the Montanore copper ...
Salt Water Purge Threatens Farmers Crops
January 2020
When salt water bubbles up in Oklahoma killing farmers crops, everyone takes notice. ECOVAP provides an environmentally safe alternative to Salt Water Injection Wells, thus alleviating SWD leaks, contamination, and seismicity concerns.
WASHINGTON POST
MARCH 2021
Army Corps denies permit for massive gold mine proposed near Bristol Bay in Alaska
WASHINGTON POST
MARCH 2021
Army Corps denies permit for massive gold mine proposed near Bristol Bay in Alaska
WASHINGTON POST
MARCH 2021
Army Corps denies permit for massive gold mine proposed near Bristol Bay in Alaska
WASHINGTON POST
MARCH 2021
Army Corps denies permit for massive gold mine proposed near Bristol Bay in Alaska
WASHINGTON POST
MARCH 2021
Army Corps denies permit for massive gold mine proposed near Bristol Bay in Alaska
WASHINGTON POST
MARCH 2021
Army Corps denies permit for massive gold mine proposed near Bristol Bay in Alaska