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| Image from "Induced Earthquakes" http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/induced/ |
There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. (Matthew 24:7b, NIV)
In the previous post we talked about earthquake statistics from the USGS. In this post, let's explore whether activities we humans are doing on the earth, such as fracking, can cause earthquakes.
IS FRACKING CAUSING INCREASED EARTHQUAKES?
We seem to be noticing increased earthquake activity in places like Oklahoma and Colorado where we don't usually have many earthquakes. (Tweet that!) Although we do have faults running through these states, earthquakes are pretty unusual. But we're having more. Some people blame this on Fracking for oil in those areas. The USGS is studying that process. You can read about their findings in their article "Induced Earthquakes."
Interestingly that page includes this statement:
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as "fracking," does not appear to be linked to the increased rate of magnitude 3 and larger earthquakes. (Tweet that!)
While that statement says fracking is not to blame, it also clearly implies there has indeed been an increase of magnitude 3 and larger earthquakes. (Tweet that!)
The USGS web site links to an article on its "Science Features" area titled "Man-Made Earthquakes Update." That article opens with this statement:
The number of earthquakes has increased dramatically over the past few years within the central and eastern United States. Nearly 450 earthquakes magnitude 3.0 and larger occurred in the four years from 2010-2013, over 100 per year on average, compared with an average rate of 20 earthquakes per year observed from 1970-2000.
Even if mankind's activities on the earth are causing more earthquakes, wouldn't this still be a fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy? (Tweet that!) Of course it would. Nowhere did he say only "natural" earthquakes would increase. He said …
There will be…earthquakes in various places. (Matthew 24:7b, NIV)
… implying something unusual about earthquakes in the End Times just before his return to earth.
I can't help thinking that in Jesus' day the thought of man-made earthquakes would have sounded crazy. To anyone else but Jesus, that is, since he, being God, already knew the future. But anyway...
His words imply an increase in frequency, intensity, and locations in earthquake activity. (Tweet that!) Any man-made earthquakes caused by fracking or any other activities also fit that prophecy.
In the next post we'll take a look at recent earthquakes that have occurred this year, in 2014, and some of my favorite resources for information on watching earthquakes as well as information on fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
Related Articles:
- July 8, 2014 "There will be… Earthquakes in Various Places" – Part 1 – USGS Statistics
- Coming next: July 12, 2014 "There will be… Earthquakes in Various Places" – Part 3 – Recent Earthquakes and Resources
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