A small earthquake shook parts of northern Denver early Friday morning. While it didn’t cause any major damage, it was strong enough for many people to feel it. Earthquakes like this are rare in Colorado, which is why this one caught the attention of both residents and scientists.
What Happened in Dacono
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a 2.9 magnitude earthquake hit Dacono, a town about 30 miles north of Denver, at around 6 a.m. Hundreds of people said they felt the shake. Even though it was noticeable, it was still considered a weak earthquake.
Understanding Earthquake Magnitudes
Earthquakes are measured on the Richter scale, which goes from 0 to 10. A quake under 3.0 is usually not strong enough to cause damage. In fact, USGS says there are over a million such small earthquakes around the world each year. Most of them go unnoticed.
For comparison, earthquakes between 6.0 and 8.0 are usually the most dangerous. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake that caused a tsunami and killed more than 220,000 people was a 9.0. The 2010 Haiti earthquake, which killed thousands, was a 7.0.
Are Earthquakes Common in Colorado?
Colorado doesn’t get many earthquakes, and when they do happen, they are usually weak. According to CBS Colorado’s First Alert Chief Meteorologist Dave Aguilera, earthquakes that can be felt are quite rare in the state.
Still, scientists have recorded a few strong quakes in the past. The biggest one happened in 1882, with a magnitude of 6.6. Since then, at least six earthquakes of 5.0 or higher have been recorded in Colorado.
Could Oil and Gas Drilling Be a Cause?
Dacono is located in Weld County, which has many oil wells. Some local residents believe these drilling activities could be the reason behind the recent increase in small earthquakes. A 2014 study published in the journal Science found a link between oil and gas production and thousands of small quakes.
Scientists think the underground pressure caused by drilling and injecting fluids into the earth may lead to more earthquakes. While more research is still being done, this connection is becoming a serious topic of discussion in the region.
While the 2.9 magnitude earthquake in Dacono was small and didn’t cause damage, it serves as a reminder that earthquakes can happen even in places like Colorado. With oil and gas drilling possibly playing a role, scientists and residents alike are paying closer attention.
Colorado’s past shows that stronger earthquakes are possible, and experts say the state should stay prepared just in case.