Oregon

LWolf

(46,179 posts) Sat Oct 24, 2015, 10:23 AM Oct 2015

Earthquake swarms. [View all]

http://www.ktvz.com/news/word-of-ringo-butte-quake-swarm-rattles-some-la-pine-residents/36013266

Towards the bottom of the news report, I read this:

The quakes also have prompted some to ask about any possible relation to the geothermal energy project underway at the Newberry Volcano.

AltaRock Energy's Newberry EGS (enhanced geothermal systems) project began in 2009 on the western flank of the Newberry Volcano. It uses a process called hydroshearing, injecting cold pressurized water to break through solid rock.

But AltaRock spokesman David Stowe told NewsChannel 21, "We haven't had any work going on at Newberry for several months."

I live in the region, and have family in La Pine, and have spent recreational time within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Why did I not hear about "hydroshearing?" Should that be happening in the area of a National Monument designated to protect the area around the volcano?

And what should I know about hydroshearing? I'll have to go looking for more information.

As someone who lived in So Cal for 3.5 decades, I know earthquakes. They aren't my concern, except for how they may relate to the young volcanoes in the area that they are occurring in. I was just surprised to hear that an energy company is acting in protected areas.

It could be a great thing. AltaRock touts itself as a provider of clean, renewable energy, which is surely a direction we need to go in. Still, I feel a bit uneasy at the idea of changing underground pressures and conditions in an area of faults and volcanoes.

http://altarockenergy.com/about-us/

http://pnsn.org/blog/2015/10/23/unusual-earthquake-swarm-south-of-bend-or

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