Earthquakes in West Texas and Southern New Mexico Raise Alarms
May 9, 2025 – Recent seismic events in West Texas and southern New Mexico have ignited concerns about their potential linkage to oil and gas operations. A geology professor at New Mexico State University, Jeffrey Amato, suggests that the earthquakes may be a consequence of wastewater brine injection associated with these industries.
Historically, the region has been relatively seismically quiet, with only one significant earthquake recorded between 1970 and 2017. However, in 2018, the area experienced a dramatic increase to 50 earthquakes, and startlingly, last year the count surged to 1,000.
Amato indicates that while earthquakes could traditionally be associated with the geological movements of the Rio Grande Rift, the proximity of recent epicenters to heavy oil and gas activity demands scrutiny. "Because of the spatial alignment of the epicenters and significant oil and gas activity, we need to investigate if there’s a correlation,” he noted.
This spike in seismic activity raises vital questions about the environmental impacts of energy extraction methods in the region. Local authorities and scientists are urged to further explore these connections to ensure the safety and well-being of nearby communities.
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