Earthquakes are swarming in West Texas. On Monday, July 22, 2024, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake with an epicenter near Snyder, Texas sent shockwaves throughout the area. This was the 8th strongest earthquake in Texas history. On Friday, July 26, 2024, another 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck eight miles northeast of Hermleigh, Texas and was followed by a 3.2-magnitude aftershock approximately 10 minutes later.
Based on data from the United States Geological Survey, there have been 58 earthquakes over the past year in the Snyder–Hermleigh area ranging from 2.0 to 5.0 in magnitude. Larger communities in the area, such as Lubbock, Midland, Big Spring, San Angelo, and Abilene have likely felt the effects of these earthquakes.
Poynter Law Group is actively working to uncover the root causes of these seismic events by collaborating with a team of expert geophysicists. In addition to this, we have taken proactive steps in submitting requests under the Texas Public Information Act to determine whether wastewater disposal from oil and gas drilling operations in the area are responsible for the quakes.
Often, these earthquakes are not naturally occurring. Instead, they are induced by wastewater disposal deep below the Earth’s surface. Scientists have called this phenomenon “induced seismicity.” In Oklahoma, for example, two geophysicists have opined that wastewater disposal into Oklahoma’s Arbuckle Formation is an ultrahazardous activity, which has resulted in thousands of earthquakes in Oklahoma for nearly the past two decades. In fact, all seismic activity in Oklahoma since at least 2011, and most likely even decades before, was induced by oil and gas drilling operations—specifically, the disposal of wastewater deep below the Earth’s surface. According to USA Today, scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey have now said with confidence that these most recent earthquakes are related to oil and gas extractions.
Induced seismicity isn’t new to West Texas either. Between 1975 and 1982, and 2006 and 2011, another series of earthquakes occurred near the Cogdell oil field outside Snyder, Texas. Researchers at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island attributed the 1975-1982 quakes to wastewater disposal. But before the most recent events, the largest earthquake attributed to operations at the Cogdell oil field was a 4.6 magnitude earthquake.
On July 26, 2024, Scurry County Judge Dan Hicks officially declared a state of disaster and requested state assistance. Judge Hicks stated, “Since the first earthquake that was felt on July 22, 2024 at about 9:38 PM, a 4.9, and a 4.4 at about 9:46 PM to today’s 5.0 at about 9:28 AM July 26, 2024, damage has been found throughout Scurry County in businesses and residences. I, Dan Hicks Scurry County Judge, am Declaring a Disaster and requesting any assistance we can get from the State of Texas.”
People have taken to social media to share their experiences.
Jaynie, @Jaynie756212225, says, “felt strong! things knocked off shelves at work”.
Stewart Doreen, @EditorStew, says, “I survived the latest earthquake out of Scurry County (Snyder)#earthquake”.
Q.D. McGraw, @MattPquickdraw, referencing the 2008 Academy Best Picture Nominee ‘There Will Be Blood’ says, “61 earthquakes in 7 days coming right out of Hermleigh!! Might need to ease up on the fracking for frack’s sake. I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE, Hermleigh!!”
Aside from social media, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has compelling data on quake frequency around Hermleigh. Since 2014, the Hermleigh area has experienced 187 earthquakes having magnitudes 2.5 and greater. In the past year, there have been fifty-eight earthquakes ranging from 2.0 to 5.0 in magnitude.
In the past thirty days, the Hermleigh area has experienced 20 earthquakes having magnitudes 2.5 and greater.
And in the past seven days alone, there have been two earthquakes having magnitudes 4.5 and greater, with the most recent just being upgraded to a 5.1.
For more than a decade, Poynter Law Group has pioneered induced seismicity litigation. Poynter Law Group has represented homeowners, business owners, tribal nations, and universities alike, in both class action and individual settings, in recovering tens of millions of dollars in damages due to earthquakes caused by oil and gas operations, and specifically, the disposal of wastewater deep below the Earth’s surface. Most recently, Poynter Law Group settled an earthquake class action in Oklahoma for $5.9 million.
If you believe you have been affected by these earthquakes and have personal or property damage, we urge you to meticulously document and preserve all evidence of your damage. This may include, but is not limited to, photographs of foundation or structural damage to your home or business, cracked surfaces, broken belongings, and receipts and estimates of your home or business repairs. Your detailed documentation will greatly assist our ongoing investigation. Please forward all your documented evidence to documents@poynterlawgroup.com. Your cooperation is invaluable as we strive to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation and provide the necessary support to those affected.
--
Poynter Law Group, PLLC, is comprised of attorneys Scott Poynter, Elizabeth Poynter, Daniel Holland, Scout Snowden, and Clay Ellis. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Poynter Law Group has proven experience prosecuting complex civil, corporate, consumer, environmental, employment, and medical claims across the country.