CARROLL TOWNSHIP, YORK COUNTY - After months of earthquakes in the Dillsburg area, researchers now believe they know the cause. The combination of two kinds of rock rubbing together underground may be playing a role, along with a rising water table.
Since October of 2008, the area has been hit with over 600 small earthquakes. The quakes haven't done much damage, but they have put this community on edge. Now, a report outlines some of the reasons why this may be happening.
"You would hear a boom in the distance and then the ground would shake," said neighbor Marci Wolf after a quake in October of 2008.
Those booms and shaking, felt over the past year near Dillsburg, York County, could be coming from rock layers under the ground, 200 million years or older.
"This area was rifted or stretched apart at the time the Atlantic Ocean began to open," said Geologist, Dr. Charles Scharnberger.
These findings come from a recently released report by a group of researchers looking in to the tremors. Over 600 quakes have hit the area since October of 2008. The largest to date, a 2.9 magnitude.
"It feels like the ground is jumping. It's just kaboom and that's it," said neighbor Ronald Colby after a quake in April.
Researchers believe this area lies on two rock shelves, made of different types of rock. Those shelves are possibly rubbing together or fracturing, causing tremors.
"Occasionally mother nature just chooses a spot on the east coast and has episodes like this," said Jeri Jones from Jones Geological Services.
Scientists also think the water table could be playing a role. A rising water table could cause earthquakes. Whatever the reason, residents continue to worry for their safety.
"People define it and say it's minor. It might be minor compared to California but, it's not minor when everything you own, including your personal safety is involved," said neighbor Jim Pursel after a quake in October of 2008.
"I think it's very, very unlikely that it's building up to something big. I think these will continue for a while and go away as mysteriously as they came," Scharnberger said during a October 2008 interview.
One thing many people want to know, will the tremors get worse? Again, this report says, a 5.0 magnitude quake is possible. But most times, these type of earthquake swarms in an area like this, go away after a few months and don't get worse.
To take a look at the entire, 20 page report, click here
Since October of 2008, the area has been hit with over 600 small earthquakes. The quakes haven't done much damage, but they have put this community on edge. Now, a report outlines some of the reasons why this may be happening.
"You would hear a boom in the distance and then the ground would shake," said neighbor Marci Wolf after a quake in October of 2008.
Those booms and shaking, felt over the past year near Dillsburg, York County, could be coming from rock layers under the ground, 200 million years or older.
"This area was rifted or stretched apart at the time the Atlantic Ocean began to open," said Geologist, Dr. Charles Scharnberger.
These findings come from a recently released report by a group of researchers looking in to the tremors. Over 600 quakes have hit the area since October of 2008. The largest to date, a 2.9 magnitude.
"It feels like the ground is jumping. It's just kaboom and that's it," said neighbor Ronald Colby after a quake in April.
Researchers believe this area lies on two rock shelves, made of different types of rock. Those shelves are possibly rubbing together or fracturing, causing tremors.
"Occasionally mother nature just chooses a spot on the east coast and has episodes like this," said Jeri Jones from Jones Geological Services.
Scientists also think the water table could be playing a role. A rising water table could cause earthquakes. Whatever the reason, residents continue to worry for their safety.
"People define it and say it's minor. It might be minor compared to California but, it's not minor when everything you own, including your personal safety is involved," said neighbor Jim Pursel after a quake in October of 2008.
"I think it's very, very unlikely that it's building up to something big. I think these will continue for a while and go away as mysteriously as they came," Scharnberger said during a October 2008 interview.
One thing many people want to know, will the tremors get worse? Again, this report says, a 5.0 magnitude quake is possible. But most times, these type of earthquake swarms in an area like this, go away after a few months and don't get worse.
To take a look at the entire, 20 page report, click here
