There are relatively simple ways to predict where oil and gas facilities are likely to cause earthquakes, a government scientist said today.

"A little bit of due diligence with existing technology can prevent this," said Julio Friedmann, director of the Carbon Management Program at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Friedmann spoke today on "The Future of Fracking Technologies" at the offices of the U.S. Energy Association.

In the past year, Arkansas and Ohio have been shaken by earthquakes attributed to the underground injection of wastewater from oil and gas operations (Greenwire, Jan. 5). The quakes have been notable and alarming to the people who feel them but have not caused injuries.

The quakes in those areas were not attributed directly to hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." But modern fracturing techniques create millions of gallons of wastewater that is often disposed of in deep underground injection wells.

Scientists have known for years that injecting oil and waste underground can cause earthquakes. Other energy production methods, such as geothermal and carbon sequestration, are also known to have set the earth rumbling.

In Oklahoma and England, smaller earthquakes have been attributed to fracturing itself.

Friedmann said most of the man-made earthquakes -- the technical term is "induced seismicity" -- have been triggered along faults that are well-known and listed on state geological maps. Those wanting to drill an injection well, Friedmann said, should have a fairly simple time checking with authorities to see if they are close to a fault.

"You can do this on your iPad," he said.

A National Academy of Sciences panel is already studying how oil and gas production and other types of energy production can lead to man-made earthquakes.