More Wastewater, More Earthquakes

The number of wells injecting wastewater deep underground from oil and gas production in Oklahoma has increased in the past six years. But the overall volume of wastewater sent underground has risen much more, from 849 million barrels in 2009 to 1,538 million barrels in 2014 (green shading). Earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 (felt by some people, low chance of damage) or higher have multiplied in similar fashion, up from 20 in 2009 to 581 in 2014 (orange circles).

Hover over the colored counties and circles for more information.
2009       Total injection: 849 million barrels
2010                            861
2011                            976
2012                            1,051
2013                            1,326
2014                            1,538
Total earthquakes: 20
        41
        63
        34
        102
        581

More Wastewater, More Earthquakes

The number of wells injecting wastewater deep underground from oil and gas production in Oklahoma has increased in the past six years. But the overall volume of wastewater sent underground has risen much more, from 849 million barrels in 2009 to 1,538 million barrels in 2014 (green shading). Earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 (felt by some people, low chance of damage) or higher have multiplied in similar fashion, up from 20 in 2009 to 581 in 2014 (orange circles).

Tap on the colored counties and circles for more information.
2009       Total injection: 849 million barrels
2010                         861
2011                         976
2012                         1,051
2013                         1,326
2014                         1,538
Total earthquakes: 20
        41
        63
        34
        102
        581

More Wastewater, More Earthquakes

The number of wells injecting wastewater deep underground from oil and gas production in Oklahoma has increased in the past six years. But the overall volume of wastewater sent underground has risen much more, from 849 million barrels in 2009 to 1,538 million barrels in 2014 (green shading). Earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 (felt by some people, low chance of damage) or higher have multiplied in similar fashion, up from 20 in 2009 to 581 in 2014 (orange circles).

Tap on the colored counties and circles for more information.

                                   2009                                

Total injection: 849 million barrels
                                   2010                                

Total injection: 861 million barrels
                                   2011                                

Total injection: 976 million barrels
                                   2012                                

Total injection: 1,051 million barrels
                                   2013                                

Total injection: 1,326 million barrels
                                   2014                                

Total injection: 1,538 million barrels
Total earthquakes: 20
Total earthquakes: 41
Total earthquakes: 63
Total earthquakes: 34
Total earthquakes: 102
Total earthquakes: 581