Earthquakes Not Caused by Fracking but Are Man-Made, Says Oklahoma Geological Survey

Oklahoma has experienced more than 700 earthquakes so far this year, more than all of 2014.

Pump jacks and wells are pictured in an oil field on the Monterey Shale formation where gas and oil are being extracted by hydraulic fracturing near McKittrick, Calif., on March 23, 2014. David McNew/Getty Images

Since the fracking boom started, the state of Oklahoma has had numerous earthquakes, in increasing frequency. It has experienced more than 700 earthquakes so far this year, more than all of 2014. In the last seven days, up to Oct. 19, the state has experienced more than 40 earthquakes with a magnitude of 2 or greater within 200 miles, according to Oklahoma’s Stillwaterweather.com website.

Jeremy Boak, director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey, said on Oct. 16 in a quick appearance on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show“ that the increased frequency of earthquakes in Oklahoma is caused by oil and gas operations. But he said it’s not due to water and chemicals being injected in the ground.

The increased frequency of earthquakes in Oklahoma is caused by oil and gas operations.