2011 Oklahoma quake - man made?

[JAE]

Can humans cause earthquakes? According to this article, some think so (the Oklahoma 2011 5.6 mag. quake)

Article on 20111 OK event

 

[PicoStruc]

Similar theory exist about dam water level that can cause earthquake

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/06/top-5-ways-that/

And more seriously : Dam Induced Earthquale

http://www.internationalrivers.org/files/attached-files/ris_final_lorez2.pdf

 

[msquared48]

And then there's HAARP....

I tend to believe the possibility of the water induced quakes due to the factor of induced lubrication, allowing any excisting faults to slip at a lower level, should they need to. Just makes sense to me.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[asixth]

There was a similar theory about the 1989 Newcastle quake (Magnitude 5.5) in Australia about mining activities de-stabilizing the plate. I didn't read too much into it but it was a significant event in Australia for engineers, really made engineers consider earthquake design. Prior to that it was thought of a "need not be considered" thing.

 

[DSB123]

asixth,
You had me slightly worried there for a moment. I read 1989 Newcastle quake (magnitude 5.5). As I live about 15 miles from Newcastle (UK) I could not remember any such earthquake. Then I read on and "in Australia" eased my concern somewhat. That's the benefit of living in a Country that does not have significant Seismic activity.