Texas Jolted by Four-Earthquake Swarm Within Six Hours

Texas Rocked by Swarm of Four Earthquakes in Less Than Six Hours
By Stacy Liberatore for Dailymail.com
Published: April 4, 2025 | Updated: 13:50 BST

[Image: Map of West Texas earthquake locations]
Caption: Four earthquakes struck West Texas within six hours, with magnitudes ranging from 2.6 to 2.8. (USGS)

West Texas experienced a series of four earthquakes early Friday, starting at 2:33 a.m. ET near Toyah and Van Horn. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported magnitudes between 2.6 and 2.8, with the strongest tremor occurring at 7:58 a.m. ET. While no injuries or damages were reported, the seismic activity has reignited concerns about the region’s oil and gas operations.

Fracking and Wastewater Injection Under Scrutiny
Texas, the nation’s top crude oil producer (42% of U.S. output), relies heavily on hydraulic fracturing (fracking). This process involves injecting water, chemicals, and sand underground to extract oil and gas. While fracking itself rarely causes quakes, the disposal of wastewater into deep wells is linked to induced seismicity. The injected fluid increases underground pressure, potentially lubricating fault lines and triggering slips.

A 2022 University of Texas study found 68% of Texas quakes above magnitude 1.5 were “highly associated” with oil and gas activities. Dr. Alexandros Savvaidis, a seismology expert, noted, “Deep injection wells are linked to higher-magnitude earthquakes, while shallower injections pose less risk.”

[Image: Fracking site in Texas]
Caption: Texas has over 373,000 active oil and gas wells as of 2023, up from 279,615 in 2017. (File Photo)

Recent Earthquake Surge
Since March 13, the USGS has recorded 311 minor quakes in West Texas. Friday’s tremors included:

• 2.9 magnitude near Toyah (2:33 a.m. ET)
• 2.6 magnitude nearby (2:33 a.m. ET)
• 2.8 magnitude south of Van Horn (7:17 a.m. ET)
• 2.7 magnitude near Toyah (7:58 a.m. ET)

Earlier in the week, a 3.4 magnitude quake—the largest recent tremor—struck southwest of Garden City, followed by a 2.1 magnitude aftershock. Most quakes this week were minor (1.0–1.8 magnitude), but the frequency has raised alarms.

Balancing Industry and Safety
Texas’s economy thrives on energy production, but the seismic uptick has prompted calls for stricter regulations. State officials and companies are exploring mitigation strategies, such as reducing wastewater injection depths or volumes. However, the challenge lies in balancing economic interests with community safety.

[Image: Seismic activity graph]
Caption: Over 300 minor quakes have been recorded in West Texas since mid-March. (USGS Data)

As research continues, residents and policymakers remain caught between the risks of induced seismicity and the demands of a critical industry. For now, the ground beneath Texas’s energy heartland stays restless.

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