Preliminary data shows the number of 'felt' earthquakes in Harper and Sumner counties has decreased since Kansas regulators set limits on drilling wastewater disposal.
Early study findings suggest that as the amount of allowable wastewater disposal gradually decreased, there was a corresponding reduction in the strength of earthquakes.
Seismic monitoring also indicates the number of 'unfelt' earthquakes below magnitude of 2.5 have increased at the same time.
Staff from the Kansas Corporation Commission told the Harper County Commission Tuesday that it is recommending that KCC continue the existing limits.
The agency said in a news release that its staff also is recommending continued study of seismic activity and its relationship to large-volume disposal, but say the data is encouraging.
KCC is expected to formally review the recommendations in mid-September.
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