Oil and gas drilling operations in southeastern Ohio were shut down on Sunday after a 3.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Wayne National Forest, according to the Ohio Environmental Council. The state continues to investigate the causes.
"Earthquakes in the area are uncommon, especially at such a magnitude," the release read.
Ohio's Department of Natural Resources said that the earthquake was not felt but the department immediately went to work to determine the source. Spokesperson Steven Irwin said once the investigation is complete, drilling operations near the epicenter might be modified.
"We will evaluate the geography of the area, and then create a plan, likely with reduced pressure, reduced volume, reduced activity, on those horizontal wells," Irwin says.
A map from FracTracker shows several hydraulic fracturing - or fracking - sites within miles of the epicenter, in the Sycamore Valley area of Monroe County.
“This earthquake is a clear example of the risks involved in fracking,” said Melanie Houston, OEC's director of oil and gas, in the release.
In 2016, around 719 acres of Wayne National Forest were made available for lease by oil and gas drilling companies despite opposition from environmental advocates.
