Shake, Rattle and Roll in Greenbrier, Arkansas

Arkansas earthquakes--natural or man-made? According to earthquake specialist Steve Horton of the University of Memphis, there appears to be a high correlation between the natural gas drilling in Greenbier and the high number of earthquakes since April of 2009. Seismic activity has increased considerably since drilling began. West Virginia and Texas also saw increased seismic activity after natural gas drilling began in their states which lends support to this theory. Even with evidence mounting that drilling is the most likely cause of the earthquakes, Hanan Mahdi, seismologist at the U. of A. and Berkely professor Chi-Yuen Wang both state that the large number of earthquakes could be caused by an event of nature or as a result of drilling, and both believe that more studies should be implemented before a final decision as to the cause can be determined. Whatever the cause, Greenbier Mayor Ted Reynolds says that "John Q. Public" has decided they are a result of natural gas drilling. If I made Greenbrier my home, I would agree with John Q. Public.