A recent unedited Oklahoma Geological Survey study claims that hydraulic fracturing in Oklahoma may have triggered several small earthquakes in the state in January 2011. A. Holland, “Examination of Possibly Induced Seismicity from Hydraulic Fracturing in the Eola Field, Garvin County, Oklahoma,” Open-File Report OF1-2011. The study, which is being prepared for peer review, examined almost 50 seismic events that followed a 2.8 magnitude quake near Elmore City, Oklahoma. The quakes were shallow and followed hydraulic fracturing in the area.

According to recent press reports, another study from England claims that it is “highly probable” that hydraulic fracturing operations caused minor earthquakes of magnitude 2.3 and 1.5 in Lancashire, England. Both studies contain recommendations on how to avoid these issues in the future. See The Wall Street Journal, November 3, 2011.