DALLAS — The recent swarm of small earthquakes rattling some Texas counties has stirred more than a passing interest among local scientists, and a team from Southern Methodist University is deploying portable seismic stations to get a better read on why the earth's moving.
The earthquakes "are in our own back yard, and you're always interested in what's occurring in our back yard," said Dr. Brian Stump, professor of earth sciences at SMU.
Dr. Larry Standlee, a geologist who teaches at the University of Texas at Arlington's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, plans to do computer modeling with recent seismic data.
"Something is going on — exactly what, I'm not sure. I'm looking into it now," Standlee said.
Stump and his team plan to set up in areas of Tarrant and Johnson counties, where recent earthquakes have occurred.
Cleburne residents have experienced five recent tremors. None of the five quakes has registered beyond 2.8, which is considered mild.
Not known as an earthquake-prone region, North Texas has experienced 18 minor quakes in the past seven months.
Scientists want to determine if there is a link between gasdrilling activities and the recent earthquakes.
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