PubTalk 8/2015 — Yes, Humans Really Are Causing Earthquakes

by Justin Rubinstein, USGS Research Geophysicist

• The earthquake rate has dramatically increased in the central US in the last 6 years.
• Oklahoma had more M≥3 earthquakes in 2014 than California.
• This increase is due to earthquake activity induced by oil and gas operations.
• Most earthquakes are not caused by hydraulic fracturing.
• We may be able to control these earthquakes.