Are earthquakes in Kansas linked to fracking?

#kansasearthquake #fracking Officials have revealed, for the first time, that a sharp increase in earthquakes in Kansas could be attributed to an increase of fracking – fracking is a process devised to extract oil from the rocks by boring underground tunnels to reach the source of oil.
The process is a controversial one and in view of the increase in the number of tremors reported, especially in the state's south-central region, scientists are connecting them to the disposal of wastewater that is a byproduct of the oil-and-gas extraction process.
In the opinion of Rick Miller, geophysicist and senior scientist for the Kansas Geological Survey, there is a strong correlation between the disposal of saltwater and the earthquakes. It seems during the hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” the operators make use of a mixture of saltwater and chemicals. The purpose is to break the underground rock formations so as to release oil and gas. Subsequently, to get rid of the water, the operators inject it deep into disposal wells.
Incidentally, fracking is at present a highly charged issue at the state government level and New York has recently linked up with Vermont to ban the process.
Fracking is not a new practice. However, the sudden spike in seismic activity in Kansas has become a matter of concern. As per reports of the Kansas Geological Survey, the state has recorded over 120 quakes in 2014, as against none in 2012.
Availability of fracking oil has reduced the price of oil globally - but, the danger of quakes need also to be addressed and tackled.