Skip to main content
Back to Show
PBS News Hour

Why is Oklahoma experiencing a spike in earthquakes?

Over the past six years, earthquakes in Oklahoma have skyrocketed – from less than a handful of 3.0 earthquakes before 2009 to well over 900 last year. The likely culprit: salty wastewater that bubbles up during oil and gas drilling. The rash of quakes has led to tough questions for the energy industry that provides one in five jobs in the state and comprises nearly a third of Oklahoma’s economy.

Support Provided By
Season
January 23, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 23, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 27, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 27, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 22, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 22, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 26, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 26, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 21, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 21, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 20, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 20, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 19, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 19, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 16, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 16, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 15, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
56:46
January 15, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 14, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 14, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 13, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 13, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
January 12, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
January 12, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Active loading indicator