HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A large crowd turned out for Wednesday’s public informational meeting to answer questions regarding the amount of earthquakes in the area. Rick Miller and Rolfe Mandel with the Kansas Geological Survey were present; along with Mark Cochran, with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment; and Ryan Hoffman, with the Kansas Corporation Commission.

All were on hand to discuss the seismic activity and its relation to oil and gas production. They also answered questions regarding the apparent migration of the quakes from the south into Reno County and what is being done to maybe quell some of the activity.

Miller took time to explain what the seismic activity is like in the Hutchinson area:

 

 

Miller says the main area of seismicity in south central Kansas is around Harper County, where five distinct areas of activity were studied. Action was taken to minimize the seismic activity in the area:

 

Miller says it is too early to tell if the quakes will continue to migrate north from Harper County into the area. He also said it is too early to determine if there is any cyclical nature to the activity, which seems to ramp up every six months. So far, Cochran says the KDHE and KGS have not been able to connect drilling and well disposal activity with that cycle.