In 2008, Oklahoma was shaken by just two earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater. By 2015, the state had experienced a staggering 585 quakes of the same magnitude or larger, making Oklahoma the most seismically active state in the lower 48 states.

What caused the surge?

The main culprit is wastewater injection wells. These wells are used by the oil and gas industry to dispose of wastewater produced during the fracking process. When wastewater is injected underground, it can increase the pressure on nearby faults, causing them to slip and produce earthquakes.

The risks of wastewater injection

Earthquakes pose a serious risk to public safety and property. They can cause buildings to collapse, roads to buckle, and bridges to fail. In addition, earthquakes can trigger landslides, mudslides, and fires.

The government's response

In response to the surge in seismic activity, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) has implemented a number of regulations to reduce the risk of earthquakes. These regulations include:

* Limiting the amount of wastewater that can be injected into a single well

* Requiring oil and gas companies to monitor seismic activity near their injection wells

* Shutting down injection wells that are found to be causing earthquakes

The future of wastewater injection

The OCC's regulations have helped to reduce the number of earthquakes in Oklahoma, but the state is still experiencing more earthquakes than it did before the surge began. The OCC is continuing to work to develop regulations that will further reduce the risk of earthquakes.

The future of wastewater injection in Oklahoma is uncertain. Some people believe that the practice should be banned altogether, while others believe that it can be done safely if properly regulated. The OCC is working to find a balance between the need for wastewater injection and the risk of earthquakes.