The U.S. Geological Survey is examining whether the 5.6-magnitude earthquake that shook Oklahoma on Saturday and tied for the strongest temblor ever recorded in the state was triggered by the underground disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production. “Without studying the specifics of the wastewater injection and oil and gas production in this area, the USGS cannot currently conclude whether or not this particular earthquake was caused by industrial-related, human activities,” the USGS said in a statement. He was set to travel to Oklahoma Tuesday to help state officials on wastewater-injection issues, he added. The water often is injected back underground under high pressure into special disposal wells. The commission focused on wells that dispose wastewater into a rock formation deep underground called the Arbuckle.

Source: Fox News September 06, 2016 04:30 UTC