Seismologists Say A Fault Is At Fault For Irving Earthquakes
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IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) - Scientists are discovering what is to blame for the recent earthquakes in Irving.
Many believed that the former Texas Stadium implosion or gas drilling could be the blame but SMU seismologists say they just don't know yet.
They are identified fault line that runs right through Irving and into Dallas.
It is about 2 miles in length and 3 to 5 miles deep.
In the area of the newly identified fault are: buildings, businesses, high-rises, and residents.
The SMU seismology team says the fault stretches from state highway 114 in Irving and extends north-by-north east to Walnut Hill in West Dallas.
"This is not new faulting. This is not the formation of a new fault this is just reactivation of a fault that's probably hundreds of millions of years old," explains SMU Seismologist Heather DeShon.
The SMU seismology team has no answers about what is causing all of these earthquakes of late.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings says the city is looking at it's building codes.
"Whether we change them or not is a separate discussion but I know the city manager is examining that," says Mayor Rawlings.
Researchers can't predict the number or the severity of future earthquakes.
That unpredictability is on the minds of many.
"Well you never know when the big ones going to happen," jokes Dallas resident Mike Foster.
There hasn't been a noticeable earthquake in that area since January 23rd, but researchers say they are measuring many tiny earthquakes.
They hope to pinpoint the fault's location and find out if its due to natural causes or human activity such as drilling.
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