Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Geography (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Geosciences

Advisor/Mentor

Aly, Mohammed

Committee Member

Liner, Christopher

Second Committee Member

Cothren, Jackson

Keywords

disposal wells; earthquakes; GIS; Oklahoma

Abstract

Seismic records over the past decade and a half have indicated a significant increase of earthquakes in the state of Oklahoma and the evidence has strongly suggested the rise is likely caused by substantial wastewater disposal operations, a subsequent process of oil and natural gas extraction. This study investigated the relationship between wastewater disposal via injection wells, and its influence on inducing earthquakes in Oklahoma by employing Geographic Information System (GIS) tools for geospatial data integration and spatial analysis using United States Geological Survey (USGS) earthquake data and Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class II well data sourced from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) over an 11-year period (2009-2019). Spatial Autocorrelation measured by Global Moran’s I was used to analyze the data and assess the degree in which their values are correlated by revealing a pattern of clustering, dispersion, or randomness. After confirming significant clustering, the data were then fed through Hot Spot Analysis measured by Getis-Ord Gi* to assess the z-score, p-value, and confidence levels of clusters. Numerical and visual results each show high value clusters predominately in central and north-central Oklahoma indicating that earthquakes are very likely correlated with nearby disposal wells. Despite the high concentration of known faults and the large number of wells established in the southern and southeast regions of the state, there has been minimal earthquake activity, suggesting that injection by volume may be a more dominant driver of inducing earthquakes than the geologic landscape alone. A follow-on Spatial Autocorrelation via Global Moran’s I was then used to validate that the Hot Spot Analysis still shows meaningful spatial results. Results from this study highlighted potential risks of wastewater disposal operations, which have been suspected of triggering earthquake events. Because there is a common perception that oil and gas extraction via hydraulic fracturing is detrimental to the natural and urban environment, the industry’s handling of oil and natural gas operations are generally more scrutinized. This is especially prevalent when earthquakes occur in higher frequency and at a higher magnitude. Therefore, it is important for both governmental and private sector decision-makers to understand the data and remain informed, to create optimal policy that could mitigate future damage to infrastructure and preserve peace of mind. A GIS methodology simplified analyses and produced comprehensive visualizations of implied impacts of the wastewater disposal processes related to earthquake seismicity; additionally, this methodology could be applied in similar studies that involve high volume injection operations, regardless of region and purpose.

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