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Examining Possible Links Between Wastewater Injection and Earthquakes in California1 min read

by Maryann Villavert

Energy Geosciences Division Geophysics Department Hydrogeology Department In The Press

California County Map

California County Map (Image from Shutterstock.com)

Berkeley Lab scientists in the Energy Geosciences Division (EGD) are conducting a study commissioned by California’s oil field regulating agency — the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources — to examine possible links between oil field wastewater injection and earthquakes. The research team is led by Bill Foxall, and includes Preston Jordan and Corinne Bachmann of the EGD’s, Geophysics and Hydrogeology Departments, as well as collaborators from UC Santa Cruz. Foxall made note on the recent magnitude 4.9 earthquake near Wasco that the event “would be included in our state-commissioned investigation” but after review of the data available immediately after the event that there was not enough information at that time “to even speculate the origins of the earthquake.”

Information about the study was covered earlier in February by The Bakersfield Californian in addition to SFGate and more recently, following the temblor near Wasco in late February, response by the research team was also covered again in The Bakersfield Californian.