Earthquake Swarm in Arkansas Intensifies. Memphis, Tennessee could be epicenter for the next big one

I felt this one all the way down in Benton. The computer monitor wobbled. This is only the second one I've felt down here, the other being the the 4.7 quake.

There were two earthquakes in quick succession. The first was around 4M. Followed a minute and a half later by a smaller one.

Earthquake Details

* This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.

Magnitude 4.2
Date-Time

* Friday, April 08, 2011 at 14:56:32 UTC
* Friday, April 08, 2011 at 09:56:32 AM at epicenter

Location 35.254°N, 92.352°W
Depth 5 km (3.1 miles)
Region ARKANSAS
Distances

* 4 km (3 miles) NE (52°) from Greenbrier, AR
* 8 km (5 miles) S (191°) from Guy, AR
* 10 km (6 miles) SE (137°) from Twin Groves, AR
* 21 km (13 miles) NNE (27°) from Conway, AR
* 58 km (36 miles) N (358°) from Little Rock, AR
* 419 km (261 miles) SSW (207°) from St. Louis, MO

Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 14.2 km (8.8 miles); depth +/- 3.1 km (1.9 miles)

hmmm... have we peaked or are we still building? I've been getting the feeling that we were building up for a few days now... keep having thoughts of something just over the 5 mark too.. hopefully it doesn't happen.. Greenbrier has WAY to many old mobile homes for that.. a 5 could easily do damage around here. Oh, I think it's time to pray. Let's hope is winds down from here now.. but I just don't think it's gonna go away that easy.

Scott Ausbrooks was right to suggest that this was to be expected. He referred to the Colorado injection earthquakes and noted that even after that operation was shut down, the earthquakes continued for a long time.
That's the problem with injection. It takes a long time for the ground to settle and readjust. This is why it's maddness to injection fluids in a seismically unstable region.

But he's out to lunch when he's talking about foreshocks and aftershocks. There is really no such thing. It's a matter of reference. All the quakes are part of the same process. Obviously the 3.9M was not the "mainshock", and it was not a "preshock" to this latest quake. It's all part of the same thing. The fault is constantly active. And he's suggesting that this can continue for a long time to come and there is no way to rule out a much bigger movement. If you notice the last quake was a "double tap". And the earthquakes come in clusters. This is the same main characteristic. This means it's not tetonic and it is induced by fluids. The earthquakes are caused by the groundwater moving through the faults.

I'll say it again. This fault is not a natural phenomenon. It is an artifical fault. Not by design. But by neligence, caused by greed due to our addiction to fossil fuels.

I am sorry I have been unable to follow this thread for the past few weeks as my free time has been next to 0 and I have been following the ongoing nuclear disaster in Japan.

It appears to me that They slowed the fracking down until the end of March and the review to show a slow of the quakes so they could say natural swarm. That being said, I have a question which I am sure was covered here in length - Did They give the go ahead to open up the two injection wells They had closed until the review? A link to the page that this is discussed would be greatly appreciated. I will try to get on top of it again - time permitting.

reply to post by HadEnough


Scott Ausbrooks has said that there could be a quake around 6M. This make the 4.7M seem mild in comparison. With a 6M quake, there will be wide-spread damage. And this could cause other nearby faults to become unglued and there could be a chain-reaction.

Refer to 1811/1812.
Those devastating earthquakes started in Arkanasas first and then travelled to northward.

reply to post by Anmarie96


The injection wells are still shut down. There will be no way on earth the state officials will allow them to restart.
Scott Ausbrooks is basically conceding that they were caused by the injection wells when he says they expected the continuation when comparing these quakes to those in Colorado back in the 1960-1970's.

reply to post by Anmarie96

That being said, I have a question which I am sure was covered here in length - Did They give the go ahead to open up the two injection wells They had closed until the review? A link to the page that this is discussed would be greatly appreciated. I will try to get on top of it again - time permitting

The 2 injection wells near Greenbrier/Guy are still closed. I'll see if I can find a link to the info.

edit to add link: www.todaysthv.com...

Holy Moley!
Restless dogs, dizzyness here in St. Louis. Then I check the USGS...
I hope everyone is ok down there.
Still working out the details of getting into that area or at least New Madrid to see how that makes me feel.

My neck and head ache.
I am posing questions to my cousin, who is a meteorologist and tornado chaser on TV. He is into this stuff, too.

Water always wins.

reply to post by KathyG427


How did that 4.2 feel, Kathy? That's kind of scary. I was asleep when it happened, but I live near Ft. Smith and I'm pretty sure nobody here felt anything. But then again there's a big difference between a 4.2 and the 4.7 we had before. I hope you keep us updated.

reply to post by tmar11


Here's a did you feel it map. It all depends on where you live in the state and what kinds of soils you live on.

earthquake.usgs.gov...

reply to post by tmar11


My brother is now telling me how much of an idiot I am, because "nobody can feel earthquakes until there are in the 3 point range, and a 4.2 isn't even big." He is also telling me he knows this because he has heard about earthquakes in California on the news, and he doesn't understand that it's completely different here, mainly because of the soil/ground here. And so here I am, being called an idiot, and laughing to myself because he won't even research it because he knows I am right Oh dear.

reply to post by tmar11


Hi! I know you directed you question to Kathy, buuuutttttt, I live in Greenbrier and I can tell you it felt like somebody drove their vehicle into my house. The recliners were rocking hard, the dang boxes fell over again a few things fell off of the shelves. I almost fell down as it knocked my side to side pretty good. I haven't felt good in days, and the dogs are totally freaked out. We may go outside and spend the day working in the yard..

EDIT: My front door also closed from it. This felt just as strong if not stronger than the 4.7 did.

another rumble...

reply to post by HadEnough


Well I'm glad your safe! That sounds awful. I'd definitely work in the yard all day, if it stays active today it makes me wonder if one bigger than 4.2 is possible.

It's DEFINITELY very active today, more active than it's been in quite a while.

reply to post by tmar11


It's nothing we haven't been expecting. And honestly, we're kinda used to it around here. Most of the time I don't even look up from what I'm doing and just say "ohh, another one" and my husband will just say "mm hmm." I hope they die down from here.

anyone else feeling sea sick??? I feel like I'm on a boat.. on a windy day...

reply to post by HadEnough


It's no wonder, you're on some rather rough seas today.

My E-Quake just showed another 3.5

The last 48 hours have produced one of the most energetic periods since the swarm began. Even the 4.7M was not accompanied by such an active cluster cycle. The 4.7M was very big, so this cycle is in the same range in terms of energy, but this shows that the fault is constantly moving.

The injection wells created a underground reservoir. This activity is the water escaping.

There is a distinct possiblity that there will be a major quake during this clustered activity.
This activity may be building and there is a real danger to concern. If you live in the area, I suggest you call your friends and family to give them a head's up. Take the first steps in your emergency plan and make sure you are ready to put your preparations into action. Even if nothing more happens, it's good to practise your plans. Then you can see where there is some problems, or things you've forgotten to add to your list.

I can't say there will be a big quake today.
No one can.

And no one can say there won't be a major earthquake today.
It would be a mistake not to take this activity seriously.