A seismologist points at a graphic showing an earthquake reading at the Central Weather Bureau in Taipei July 14, 2009. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang/Files
HOUSTON: Earthquakes caused by human activity will now be included in the US Geological Survey's seismic risk maps, the agency said after a sharp rise in temblors linked to wastewater disposal wells used by the oil and gas industry in Oklahoma.
The seismic risk maps are used by emergency management officials as well as the country's major engineering and design associations to guide how strong to construct buildings.
