Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
Despite the state’s insistence that a brine injection well on Ohio Works Drive, off Salt Springs Road, isn’t the reason for seven earthquakes that have occurred in Youngstown since March, another was recorded at 1:47 a.m. Friday in the same area.
Friday’s magnitude 2.1 quake had an epicenter at U.S. Route 422 and state Route 711 in Youngstown, close to the D&L Energy Inc. brine injection well, which is near V&M Star.
The Lamont-Doherty Cooperative Seismographic Network reported Friday’s earthquake. Seven of the eight quakes had an epicenter near Ohio Works Drive.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said this week it believes there is no correlation between the well, which goes down into the Precambrian formation — which dates from the formation of the Earth until about 542 million years ago and lies about 9,000 feet below the ground — and the earthquakes, which started March 17.
The March earthquake was the first one ever recorded with an epicenter in Mahoning County.
ODNR still will require D&L to test the well and possibly plug the bottom with concrete to “eliminate any perceived accusations.”
The depth of Friday’s earthquake, like the previous seven, registered at 5 kilometers, about 7,500 feet below the well, though seismologists have said no accurate depth can be determined without multiple seismograph readings.
The March 17 quake was a magnitude 2.6. Earthquakes between 2.0 and 3.0 are felt by a few people, usually those at rest and usually in the upper floors of buildings, according the U.S. Geological Survey.
The city experienced a magnitude 2.2 earthquake in August, and the one in late September registered 2.5 to 2.6. It produced booming and crashing noises throughout the Mahoning Valley but wasn’t strong enough to do any damage.
The first six earthquakes had magnitudes ranging from 2.2 to 2.6.
Comments
How much more proof does ODNR need?
They need drinking water that's so bad, officials would refuse to drink it. Then, they MIGHT believe it. Oh, you'll also know it when they are carrying around bottled water.....that's a dead give away.
WOW! They do think we the 99% are stupid!
@taxme - We obviously are stupid. We will re-elect the same people to "REPRESENT" us every time. This is turning into a charade. Do we need to get rid of Kasich to make changes at ODNR? Also, I hear rumors that Tim Ryan may run for governor against Kasich. So with that in mind, will Tim Ryan have the honesty to come out and make issue with ODNR over this?
Does anyone know when the brine injection well was drilled?
ODNR: "We know the charred remains of many people have been found in front of the dragon's cave but we can assure you the dragon isn't responsible. It's just spontaneous combustion that happens in the exact same place everytime for some reason that you simpletons wouldn't understand."
jaycie,
I just happen to have the article that discusses the beginning of that well. http://business-journal.com/m-wastewa...
That was back in 2010. When did they actually start drilling this well?
Ohio will have a major quake before California!
Attention Attention !
ODNR says that drilling does not cause earthquakes .
If the earth shakes near a drill site be assured it is NOT happening. Now go and be happy.
@ taxme:
Yes, the 99% are stupid. Very, very stupid. AND they are breeding!
@ congresswatcher:
Right on with your people re-electing the same politicians over and over.
The people apparently ARE sheeple, especially if the vindicator supports the same old same old politicians under a waving banner of stability.
Sad cycle, really.
@Jessiedavid http://www.huntingtonnews.net/12965 - -The article dated November 9 claims deep drilling has ceased there but I don't know whether it has resumed.I'm not sure about PA but it seems that it has happened in other states not known for earthquakes at least according to this article.
We need to believe the oil industry they have over150 years of experence and only have the countries interest at heart We need jobs and energy indepentance Why would we believe some tree huggers that want to destroy that We need to remember that the sacrfice of the few for the benefit of the many is what made this country great. We know obama does't care for this great country we need the republican party in power now because they are the only ones that truly understand this.
When the salt mines in the Cleveland area collapse we will will have the big quake . These small adjustments in The Valley are barely felt . . ..
@Jessiedavid - - -Agreed.
I would also add that if the technology exists to recycle the waste water from drilling that would be a far cry better than injection wells where the potential does exist for contaminating water. If this is the case then it comes down to dollars and sense.
There was activity at the site off 422 last month it seems to me; but I do not believe they have started injecting-yet. It is going to take time before the truth comes out.
In the mean time check your insurance policies for earthquake coverage before it starts to get expensive and get used to checking your basement walls for new cracks!
The United States Geological Survey website states that injection wells can cause earthquakes. The Army also learned that 20 some years ago in Colorado. If one injection well can cause 6 or 7 earthquakes, imagine how many quakes we will have when fracking really takes off in Ohio.
There was a homeowner on Gypsy that had a large crack form up the side of his house after the earthquake back in August. If the frequency of quakes increases, we're going to see more damage to homes and businesses.
I wonder how wil long it willl be until the next earthquake hits?
ondaedg :
"There was a homeowner on Gypsy that had a large crack form up the side of his house after the earthquake back in August."
Then the house should be condemned and demolished . . ..
The drilling companies are so nice maybe they will build the homeowner a new home ?