(Image Source: USGS)

BY JJ BAILEY

In the wake of weekend quakes in Oklahoma, residents pick up their broken dishes and clear their heads. While aftershocks are projected to continue for some time, the real shake up may be over whether fracking- the hydraulic fracturing of shale to release gas and oil- is at fault.

Video: KOLD

The issue has everyone from citizens to seismologists taking sides, and most outlets are picking their team. From the pro-fracking camp, Gather writes..

“Just to illustrate the point, between 1977 and 2008, there were only 28 earthquakes in Oklahoma: less than 1 per year. Between 2009 and 2010, the state experienced 134 earthquakes: an average of95 quakes per year.That's a huge difference. And it simply can not be attributed to a fault line or natural causes.”

But the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says hang on-- you can’t prove that.

“Scientists say they have no explanation for the quakes. They happened along an ancient fault, although it's not clear yet whether shifting along the fault is what caused them.”

So it looks like we have a bit of a stand off - and each side brought in some ammo. For the friends of fracking, a study published in August of 2011 by the Oklahoma Geological Survey gives fracking a free pass.

“The number of historical earthquakes in the area and uncertainties in hypocenter locations make it impossible to determine with a high degree of certainty whether or not hydraulic fracturing induced these earthquakes.”

‘Oh yeah?’ say the fracking foes, ‘we have one of those too.’ UK energy Company Cuadrilla commissioned a study after seismic activity occurred near a fracking site. Guess what that study found?

In a public release on November 2, the company said...

“It is highly probable that the hydraulic fracturing of Cuadrilla’s Preese Hall-1 well did trigger a number of minor seismic events.”

Stalemate. Looks like the courts will have to settle this one. A writer for Technorati says, that’s what some of the energy companies should be afraid of.

“These ex-Texas land-sharks are likely circling the fracking fields right now and are sizing up their prey. Like wounded fish, these fracking oil and gas corporations will be overtaken by the feeding frenzy that awaits them.”