USGS says "Significant rise in Oklahoma quakes" since 2009; other seismologist says fracking isn't the cause

There have been a lot of earthquakes in Oklahoma this week. There has been some 'spillover' in that there have been quakes in bordering Kansas (four of which are on this map). Here is a map showing quakes in Oklahoma in the past 7 days.

Here is a news spot about the OK quake swarm.

Magnitude 4.0 earthquake hits central Oklahoma, follows six other quakes Friday
A magnitude 4.0 earthquake shook central Oklahoma shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. The quake followed two other earthquakes -- a 2.8 and a 2.6 magnitude -- that were centered near Langston just minutes earlier and four other earthquakes ranging from 2.7 to 2.9 magnitude near Guthrie, Yale and Crescent on Friday afternoon and evening, the Geological Survey reported. That makes seven earthquakes of magnitude 2.6 or greater recorded in the state on Friday.

Since January 2009, more than 200 magnitude 3.0 or greater earthquakes have hit central Oklahoma,— marking a significant rise in the frequency of the seismic events, the Geological Survey reported. A study released last year shows that one to three magnitude 3.0 or greater earthquakes occurred yearly in Oklahoma from 1975 to 2008 but that the average grew to around 40 earthquakes per year from 2009-2013.


In this map of earthquakes recorded by the US Geological Survey in the past thirty days (each quake is marked by a dot on the map), Oklahoma is a clear hot spot. (USGS)- (source)

source
This article states, "[T]here have been more than 500 earthquakes in Oklahoma this year and 150 last week. (As of 2/19/14) ... No one is disputing that such a dramatic spike is unusual. The question is why it’s happening now, and science suggests that the fracking boom may be, at least in part, to blame. Researchers say the toxic wastewater, stored thousands of feet underground, reducing friction along fault lines, which can trigger earthquakes."

Or does it? This scientist said six months ago of the connection between hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and earthquakes in OK:

Seismologist: Fracking doesn't cause earthquakes
"Frohlich cited six earthquakes since 2008 in Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, Ohio and Oklahoma, ranging from magnitude 3.3 to magnitude 5.7. Their locations show that human-caused earthquakes are geographically widespread and geologically diverse, but "very rare," given the amount of petroleum produced and the amount of waste being disposed of. Why some injection wells cause earthquakes and others don't remains unclear, he said. Frohlich hypothesizes that quakes occur when a "suitably oriented" fault lies near an injection site."

"Texas has 10,000 injection wells, Frohlich said, and some have been in use since the 1930s. That effectively makes the state a giant research lab for the shale-gas drilling issues now facing Appalachian states including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. If injection wells were "hugely dangerous," he said, "we would know." "Texas would be famous as a state that just rocks with major earthquakes," Frohlich said. "That is not true.""

Scientists will debate this and that. Whether all the quakes in Oklahoma are from fracking or not isn't the issue. The issue is where can we find truth? The bible has it. We are told that in the last days there will be earthquakes in diverse places, and we are in the last days. We have been in the end times since Jesus ascended. (Hebrews 1:2).

"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains." (Mark 13:8)
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Further reading 

Have any aspects of end-times prophecy been fulfilled?

Why Every Calvinist Should be a Pre-Millennialist

Eschatology Charts: If you want a helpful overview of dispensationalism, historical premillenialism, postmillenialism, and amillenialism, then these charts (prepared by Mark Vander Pol) should be helpful.


Comments

  1. It's the devil and his band of demons quaking in their boots at the thought of our soon returning Lord and King of heaven.
    Repent today and turn to Christ or your end will be as his in the lake of fire.
    jeff

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  2. Daniel 10:

    6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

    7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

    8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

    Creation is shaking because without Christ it cannot last. Metaphorically for sure. Literally I do not know but were the heavenly or spiritual realm meets the physical universe as it enters in it is bound to make some physical manifestation.
    jeff

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    Replies
    1. thanks SO much, jeff. I loved the verses and especially your last paragraph. I completely agree.

      Delete
  3. I live in central Oklahoma. In the center of the Bible Belt. I moved here 9 years ago when earthquakes were rare. I remember the first one I felt a couple of years ago. Then we had a 5.8 that shook the house for almost 30 seconds. Now we have as many earthquakes as California - but we only have one fault line we know about and it's in Meers, Oklahoma which is almost at the border of Texas. Now Texas fracts more than Oklahoma - where are their earthquakes? Or Arkansas? Kansas? Colorado? North Dakota? What is significant about Oklahoma? Is the Creator shaking up the last place anyone would think would have earthquakes (diverse places)? Is he trying to get our attention? The F5 tornado that went through Moore, OK and the F5 tornado that went through Yukon, OK last year were also frightening. I live close to these places and have friends who live there. Many of us here in OK truly believe we are in the last of the last days and await the coming of our Savior in the Clouds! Maranatha! He is coming soon!

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