Insights on Induced Seismicity in Ohio from the Youngstown M4.0 Earthquake

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is the process in which a solution, consisting of sediments and chemicals, is injected below the crustal surface at high pressures to break up rock and enhance natural gas and oil production. This process produces waste water, which is then injected deep into the earth’s crust for disposal. The deep injection well in Youngstown, Ohio became operational in January 2011 and just three months later, the first induced earthquakes occurred. After the 10th earthquake in a matter of months, the well was voluntarily shut down. The shutdown was followed days later with a magnitude 4.0 earthquake. Researching the correlation between deep well injections and the earthquakes can help us better understand not only how but where the ground is fracturing. By bringing attention to these faults, we can avoid placing deep injection wells around them to limit induced seismicity. This can also help us learn how to better utilize the Ohio’s subsurface for deep well injection and storage. Research was completed through studying Ohio’s geological history, the stratigraphy of eastern Ohio, and articles collected from newspapers and the scientific literature on the geology of Youngstown and its utility for deep well injection and storage.Shell Oil CompanyNo embarg