Oil Earthquakes confirmed

[Hobbes]

I'm not acting like a douche, I'm trying to be reasonable. I don't have a position either way. Maybe they cause them, maybe they don't. I'd like to see facts, not firm belief disguised as fact (on either side).

The article in the OP does not "confirm oil earthquakes". It discusses an observed correlation between disposal wells and quakes. That is not proof that wells are causing our quakes...by any reasonable and accepted scientific method.

The person who levies the charge has the burden of proof. Surely someone can come up with an independent study that recreates/proves/demonstrates that disposal wells initiate earthquakes. Anyone?

Is there any absolute proof that smoking caused any particular cancer or heart disease?
Statistical correlations don't count.
Some people who don't smoke get lung cancer or heart disease.
Therefore no link has been proven to make the case that tobacco is to blame.

 

[Eagle Eye]

Is there any absolute proof that smoking caused any particular cancer or heart disease?
Statistical correlations don't count.
Some people who don't smoke get lung cancer or heart disease.
Therefore no link has been proven to make the case that tobacco is to blame.

There ya go. be sure to drink all your kool aid.
Very unscientific logic. The only way you will EVER find those answers is if you allow experiments on humans. Since that's never going to happen because it would be UNETHICAL, lets just sweep all that medical research under the table and keep selling them cigarettes and pesticides that surely can't raise the risk of cancer or other health related problems.

Now please ask me "Why would that be unethical?"

 

[SMS]

Let me ask this from a disinterested 3rd party point of view (not someone benefiting from the oil/gas industry), what would enough proof to convince you that industry activity is in fact the reason for the rapid and unprecedented rise in earthquakes. At what point is there enough evidence to act?

I've already stated as much. I would like to read a truly independent scientific/geological study that proves, through observation of the phenomenon in question, that disposal wells are the direct and sole cause of increased earthquakes in a given region. Everything I've read before has simply been studies that correlate the two occurrences.

If one can't grasp the concept that correlation does not imply causation then there's no point having a discussion about it.

Your inability to act like an ass in this situation is not conducive to heated A/B discussions and butthurt PMs. You should put the needs of the forum ahead of this realm of logic.

I'll try to do better. Anyone who firmly holds a position on either side of this argument is an idiot....the science is NOT settled, on either side. How's that? LOL.

 

[Eagle Eye]

the science is NOT settled, on either side. How's that? LOL.

The science will never be "settled" because there will never be enough evidence for some people. "well you didn't test this in January, so i don't believe it"
Just like in life, you will have to make decision with Incomplete information, so you use the best knowledge there is and make a conclusion. The proof you are seeking is impossible to produce. That is not an argument that discredits the current proof.

 

[ronny]

Instead of slinging mud back and forth, take a look at this website. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/ You can play with the settings and get data over time which will amaze. Take a look at EQ's over 2.5 worldwide for 30 days. This planet is in constant motion. Alaska and the Aleutians are shake and bake city.

 

[Eagle Eye]

Instead of slinging mud back and forth, take a look at this website. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/ You can play with the settings and get data over time which will amaze. Take a look at EQ's over 2.5 worldwide for 30 days. This planet is in constant motion. Alaska and the Aleutians are shake and bake city.

Well, scientists know that too. They are concerned because the current seismic activity in Oklahoma is not USUAL.

 

[Hobbes]

Perhaps we need to merge this thread with vaccine and autism thread.
Deniers of the world throw off your chains.

 

[Eagle Eye]

if only you were wearing chains in the first place

 

[SMS]

The science will never be "settled" because there will never be enough evidence for some people.

That can be construed as a fall back position of people positing something that hasn't yet been proven...or can't be proven because it isn't true. LOL.

If you could prove you were right, I would agree with you.

 

[Junior Bonner]

Instead of slinging mud back and forth, take a look at this website. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/ You can play with the settings and get data over time which will amaze. Take a look at EQ's over 2.5 worldwide for 30 days. This planet is in constant motion. Alaska and the Aleutians are shake and bake city.

Yes. The tectonic plates, molten core combined with the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun make for instability. The earth's crust is basically a hardened surface over a molten inferno.