Question

When Americans think of earthquakes, they tend to think of California, a state known for its frequent seismic activity. In recent years, however, people in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas have been feeling the ground shake more often. An increase in oil and gas drilling in these states has led to "human-induced" earthquakes—those resulting from human activity. When wastewater is disposed of during gas and oil drilling, the water is forced deep underground. The resulting buildup of pressure can cause fault lines (cracks in the Earth's crust) to shift. According to Mark Petersen, head of the U.S. Geological Survey's earthquake hazard mapping project, "In the past five years, the USGS has documented high shaking and damage in areas of these six states, mostly from induced earthquakes."

Answer 1

In the given passage, the author discusses the phenomenon of "human-induced" earthquakes in states like Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. While California is traditionally associated with seismic activity, these states have experienced an increase in earthquakes due to oil and gas drilling activities. The process of wastewater disposal during drilling involves injecting water deep underground, which creates increased pressure. This pressure buildup can cause fault lines, which are cracks in the Earth's crust, to shift. As a result, these shifts lead to seismic activity and earthquakes. According to Mark Petersen, who leads the U.S. Geological Survey's earthquake hazard mapping project, the past five years have seen a significant increase in shaking and damage in these six states, primarily attributed to induced earthquakes. This passage highlights the link between human activity, specifically oil and gas drilling, and the occurrence of earthquakes in areas not traditionally associated with seismic events. It underscores the importance of understanding and monitoring the potential consequences of industrial activities on the Earth's geological stability.

Step-by-step explanation: