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Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences Dedman College Research Earth Sciences

State lawmakers quiz scientists on earthquake study

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Originally Posted: May 4, 2015

By Max Baker

On a day that small earthquakes continued to shake North Texas, Southern Methodist University researchers testified before a House committee on Monday about their study linking a swarm of previous temblors near Azle and Reno to oil and gas operations.

While no one linked earthquakes recorded near Irving and Dallas in recent days to drilling, lawmakers at the state Capitol were definitely interested in getting a better understanding of what is making the ground shake with more regularity in the Metroplex. . .

SMU professors Brian Stump and Matthew Hornbach testified before the committee, along with Jon Olson from the University of Texas at Austin, about the study published late last month in the scientific journal Nature Communications regarding 27 earthquakes that occurred northwest of Fort Worth from November 2013 to January 2014.

After analyzing 3D modeling and reviewing historical data on earthquake activity in the area, the researchers concluded that the tremors were not caused by natural phenomenon, such as drought conditions or a natural shift of the Earth’s plates, but by oil and gas activity. READ MORE