By Lauren Sierra
February 27, 2023
ABILENE, Texas — Earthquakes are becoming an increasing and nerve-wracking issue here in the Big Country. Less than 2 weeks ago, the US Geological Survey measured a 4.7 magnitude earthquake near Snyder, and the effects felt all the way in Abilene.
“I was sitting at my breakfast counter having a bowl of cereal and it felt like all of a sudden someone had pushed my chair into my island, because the next thing I know my knees were touching the island,” said Donna Hughes, an Abilene resident. “I had a couple of things on my display counter that I have in my living room, they tipped over, and then the dogs got up from the sofa and they were kind of looking around like, am I supposed to be barking at something?”
As many people may assume, the increased earthquakes in the area have to do with oil production. But contrary to popular belief, the process of hydraulic fracturing – otherwise known as fracking – isn’t the main culprit. Rather – it’s high volumes of underground injection of waste water from oil and gas wells.
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