The Oklahoma Geological Survey has announced the hiring of a new state seismologist to help study the increase in earthquakes linked to oil and gas wastewater disposal. Survey Director Jeremy Boak announced Friday that Jacob Walter will assume the post in November. Walter is a research associate at the Institute for Geophysics at the University of Texas. Oklahoma has seen a dramatic increase in seismic activity in recent years, including a 5.8-magnitude quake on Sept. 3 that was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the state. Scientists have linked the quakes to the underground disposal of wastewater from oil and natural gas production.

Source: ABC News September 16, 2016 23:15 UTC