Jun 11, 2014 1 min read

Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio is leading a group of drilling states working with seismology experts at energy companies, government agencies and universities across the U.S. on how best to detect and regulate human-induced earthquakes.

The initiative follows Ohio’s discovery in April of a probable link between the drilling practice called hydraulic fracturing and five small tremors in eastern Ohio, a first in the Northeast. In 2012, Gov. John Kasich halted disposal of fracking wastewater surrounding a well site nearby after a series of earthquakes later were tied to a deep-injection well.

Ohio’s oil & gas chief tells The Associated Press state regulators are consulting with the best minds in the country to develop appropriate detection procedures and regulatory practices.

Rick Simmers said most science in the field focuses on naturally-occurring earthquakes.