March 30, 2020

Record 5.0-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Permian Basin

Record 5.0-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Permian Basin

March 30, 2020

A record-setting 5.0-magnitude earthquake hit near the Permian Basin town of Orla, Texas, on Thursday morning.

U.S. Geological Survey officials say the quake occurred at 10:16 a.m. about 16 miles southwest of Orla in a rural area off FM 652. There have been 61 earthquakes in West Texas this year but this was the strongest recorded in the region’s history, USGS data shows.

There were no immediate reports of damage but Reeves County Sheriff Arturo Granado said his office received numerous calls from people who felt it.
“People called from El Paso saying they felt it,” Granado said. “That’s more than 200 miles away.” (full story)

Latest News

Indonesia Cancels Mine Due to Catastrophic Tailings Risk in Seismic Area
June 2025
While Indonesia’s decision to cancel a high-risk mine permit (reflecting wet tailing storage in a high seismicity risk area) is laudable, EcoVAP can create a win-win by eliminating the water, thus practically eliminating the need for a wet TSF.
Now its the Shallow SWD’s That are Causing “Widespread" Contamination Problems in Permian
May 2025
Over the past five years, the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) has put increasing restrictions on deep well wastewater injection due to earthquake incidences, so oil/gas producers began injecting more into shallow formations.
Global Wastewater Environmental Standards Way Out of Date - Calls for Reviews and Lawsuits
May 2025
Highlighting two articles (of many), one for the EU and one for the US, that highlight decades-outdated wastewater environmental standards in industrial sectors such as mining and oil/gas.
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