In an unprecedented turn of events, Scurry County in west Texas has been hit by a staggering number of earthquakes, prompting local officials to declare a state of emergency. Since the first earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 4.9, was felt on the night of July 22, the county has experienced a total of 103 earthquakes, with damage reported in both businesses and residences.

Scurry County Judge Dan Hicks expressed concern over the cumulative effects of multiple small quakes, punctuated by larger shaking. The county's buildings have generally been able to withstand the occasional tremor, but the continuous series of seismic activity is causing alarm. Hicks revealed that during a 5.0 magnitude earthquake on Friday morning, the courthouse experienced significant shaking. Trophies rattled and pictures bounced against the walls, leaving occupants shaken.

Justin Rubinstein, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in California, stated that these earthquakes are likely not naturally occurring, as the region is not known for its seismic activity. Rubinstein emphasized that it is "almost 99% likely" that the earthquakes are linked to local oil fields. The new drilling technology employed by oil and gas companies, which involves drilling horizontally along an oil formation, has allowed access to deeply buried deposits of oil and natural gas. However, this extraction process produces large quantities of saltwater, referred to as "produced water," which also comes to the surface.

Rubinstein explained that the ratio of oil to saltwater is low, resulting in sometimes twenty barrels of saltwater for every barrel of oil. This saltwater, millions of years old and highly saline, cannot be disposed of in rivers or the ocean due to contaminants such as hydrocarbons. As a result, it is pumped back deep underground in a process called saltwater disposal. However, the substantial volume of water being injected underground can trigger earthquakes.

Evidence suggests that saltwater disposal is likely the main cause of the seismic activity in Scurry County, with Rubinstein noting that the area has experienced earthquakes since 2020. The Railroad Commission of Texas, responsible for regulating the state's oil and natural gas industry, announced that it is investigating any potential connections between the earthquakes and the injection of fluids into the ground for petroleum extraction.

"In efforts to reduce seismicity possibly caused by underground injection of produced water, several operators in the area have converted deep saltwater disposal wells to shallow saltwater disposal wells within the last year," the Commission stated. Inspectors from the Commission are currently examining saltwater disposal wells within a two-and-a-half-mile radius of the earthquake cluster. As a precautionary measure, two deep disposal wells have been shut-in following inspections, and further monitoring will take place to protect the environment and residents in the region.

The magnitude of the earthquakes adds to the concern. Rubinstein explained that a magnitude 5.2 earthquake is considered moderate, while a magnitude 6.2 is considered strong. As Scurry County continues to experience seismic activity, it remains critical to understand and address the factors contributing to these earthquakes, ensuring the safety of the community and the environment.

The situation in Scurry County highlights the interconnectedness between oil and gas extraction and the potential consequences on seismic activity. As investigations and monitoring continue, it is hoped that steps can be taken to mitigate further earthquakes and protect the region's residents.