Alarming animated map shows how Oklahoma and its neighboring states have been hit by frequent earthquakes since fracking began in 2009

  • Oklahoma has been hit with thousands of tremors since fracking began in 2009
  • Fracking is the process of injecting a liquid chemical mixture and sand at high pressure into shale rock
  • The process makes it easier for oil and gas to flow into wells
  • US Geological Survey published a graphic showing the frequency at which the earthquakes have occurred from 2009 to 2016
  • Fracking companies say they provide jobs and lower the cost of energy consumption
  • Environmentalist complain that the process could contaminate groundwater and could be a potential health hazard 

The state of Oklahoma is being pummeled by a rash of earthquakes with increasing frequency and scientists at The United States Geological Survey say that fracking techniques may be to blame.

Last year, Oklahoma tied its own record for the strongest earthquake ever recorded when a 5.6 magnitude tremor hit the northern part of the state at 7.02am on September 3, 2016, according to Forbes. 

The previous 5.6 magnitude quake occurred near the town of Prague on Nov. 5 2011.

Oklahoma has seen a rash of earthquake hit its territory over the last eight years (pictured graphic published by the USGS on Thursday)

Oklahoma has seen a rash of earthquake hit its territory over the last eight years (pictured graphic published by the USGS on Thursday)

Scientist believe that fracking is behind the phenomenon

Scientist believe that fracking is behind the phenomenon

Experts are confident that there is a connection between the fracking industry's activity in Oklahoma and neighboring states and increasing seismic activity in the area.

They add, however, that it is not merely fracking causing the tremors, but the result of injecting wastewater at depths well-below the fracking horizon.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking is the process of injecting a liquid chemical mixture and sand at high pressure into shale rock in order to extract oil or natural gas from the earth. 

The process creates fractures into the subterranean rock, making more pathways for oil and gas to flow into wells. 

The fracking process shoots a high pressure water mixture at shale rock in order to create fractures in the earth (pictured fracking graphic)

The fracking process shoots a high pressure water mixture at shale rock in order to create fractures in the earth (pictured fracking graphic)

The fractures allow oil and gas to flow better to wells already dug into the earth (pictured Consumer advocate Erin Brokovich speaks about fracking February 2016)

The fractures allow oil and gas to flow better to wells already dug into the earth (pictured Consumer advocate Erin Brokovich speaks about fracking February 2016)

Injecting the water mixture stimulates slip across pre-existing faults and fractures, allowing for more oil and gas to be accessed.

When the process is complete, the fracking fluid is allowed to flow back to the surface where it is collected for disposal, treatment, or reuse.

It is the disposal method, along with other waste and produced waters, being injected into deep wells that causes the earthquakes, it is claimed.

The majority of the earthquakes have been measured at a magnitude of 3.0, too low for most people to feel, but enough are above 3.0 that the USGS says there is a five per cent to 17 per cent likelihood that structural damage will be inflicted on homes if the tremors continue. 

Fracking in Oklahoma and Kansas began in earnest in 2009, when the USGS said that seismic activity began to balloon, as shown in a graphic they posted to social media on Thursday.   

Most earthquakes are below a magnitude of 3,0, too low for human to feel, but there are enough above 3.0 to cause damage (A sign reporting an earthquake in Oklahoma Feb. 2016)

Most earthquakes are below a magnitude of 3,0, too low for human to feel, but there are enough above 3.0 to cause damage (A sign reporting an earthquake in Oklahoma Feb. 2016)

The animation shows that from 2009 to 2016, earthquakes in the area have increased dramatically, with each year passing year producing more and more tremors.

Energy companies say that fracking has brought many benefits to oil and gas consumers along with land owners where the drilling occurs. 

According to Forbes, carbon emissions in the US are at their lowest in 27 years, while natural gas has become cleaner and cheaper than coal.

The BBC reported that fracking has helped secure America's energy needs for the next 100 years.

Fracking has also provided jobs and an economic boom for Americans that live in areas where fracking take place. 

Some are worried that fracking could lead to dangerous materials seeping into groundwater, causing serious health problem (pictured woman speaks out against fracking 1/16/2016)

Some are worried that fracking could lead to dangerous materials seeping into groundwater, causing serious health problem (pictured woman speaks out against fracking 1/16/2016)

Fracking companies say they provide jobs and lower the cost of energy consumption (pictured structural damage allegedly from fracking in Oklahoma (pictured January 2016)

Fracking companies say they provide jobs and lower the cost of energy consumption (pictured structural damage allegedly from fracking in Oklahoma (pictured January 2016)

But environmental safety issues have many worried that the process could lead to harmful consequence, fearing that carcinogenic materials may escape and contaminate groundwater around the fracking sites.

In 2010, HBO aired the groundbreaking documentary 'Gasland,' which took an in-depth look at the fracking industry and the impact it had on communities where the energy extraction process took place. 

Audiences were shocked when a number of participants in the film showed that they could light their faucet water on fire.

The film also raised health and safety issues associated with the practice, and helped mobilize the anti-fracking movement in the United States.

The 2010 documentary 'Gasland' shocked audiences when people who had fracking wells near the home showed they could light their water on fire (pictured screenshot from'Gasland')

The 2010 documentary 'Gasland' shocked audiences when people who had fracking wells near the home showed they could light their water on fire (pictured screenshot from'Gasland')

It still remains unclear what the exact impact of fracking has on the areas where the operation takes place (pictured screenshot from'Gasland')

It still remains unclear what the exact impact of fracking has on the areas where the operation takes place (pictured screenshot from'Gasland')

Well known consumer advocate Erin Brokovich has also been vocal about Oklahoma's earthquake activity, describing the phenomenon as 'alarming.'

'These people you know, they have rights and their homes are being damaged and structural damage and its caused by a man-made condition,' Brockovich told Tulsa broadcaster News on 6 last year. 

It still remains unclear what the exact environmental impact of fracking has on areas where companies operate.

Forbes points out that over ten-thousand fracked wells have been deployed in the Bakken and Marcellus formations, areas that scientists say has not seen an increase in seismic activity yet has produced more oil and gas than Oklahoma and Kansas.  

Other areas with thousands of wells like in the Bakken formation have reported no seismic activity, yet have produced more oil and gas than Oklahoma (pictured 1/27/2016)

Other areas with thousands of wells like in the Bakken formation have reported no seismic activity, yet have produced more oil and gas than Oklahoma (pictured 1/27/2016)