Scientists Hope Seismograph Will Find Exact Location Of Irving Quakes
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DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - Somewhere in north Irving, Southern Methodist University is putting up a portable seismograph to try to nail down exactly where a spate of recent earthquakes is occurring.
When looking at it, the seismometer doesn't appear to be more than two boxes and a computer. But the hope is readouts from will give scientists, and the public, some insight into the dozens of quakes have hit Irving recently. When paired with two existing seismographs at Dallas Forth Worth International Airport and SMU, it's hoped readings will nail down exactly where the quakes are happening.
The seismometer has been placed in a secret location, in order to keep the data secure. The goal of the equipment is to find out where. Why the earthquakes are happening isn't known either, but that won't be a part of this phase of research.
♦♦ Click Here To Read The Statement About The SMU Seismometer Installation ♦♦
Nearby residents, like Art Dulgar, worry about the frequency of the quakes. He remembers the big 3.4 temblor that shook his home. "If they'll stay moderate, it's not too bad. But if we get another one like that big 'boom,' we all should get a little nervous about it."
Nearby University of Dallas is monitoring developments, too, inspecting facilities after every reported shaker.
Speculation on the cause of the quakes includes from water pumped into the ground during hydraulic fracturing... but no one can say for sure.
"I kind of doubt if it's caused by fracking. I don't know," says an unworried Tim Savell. His business, Calibration Specialty Inc. is just south of the old stadium. While the location is in an area where the quakes have been concentrated, Savell said he hasn't seen the cracking of walls or anything else to worry him. "So far is hasn't been anything severe. Nobody could even feel, actually, I don't think."
Late Monday afternoon SMU re-emphasized it hopes to only target the locations of the quakes, not their causes.
The university plans to brief the Irving City Council on January 15.
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