Earthquakes Rattle South Texas as Oil and Gas Activity Rises

Expert says increased seismic activity in the Eagle Ford Shale region is linked to energy production

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:57pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, geometric illustration in soft earth tones depicting intersecting seismic waves, geological formations, and concentric circles, representing the complex subterranean forces driving increased earthquake activity in the region.As oil and gas activity intensifies in the Eagle Ford Shale, a surge of small earthquakes has rattled South Texas communities.San Antonio Today

About 40 earthquakes ranging from magnitude 1.2 to 3.5 have been recorded near the Coastal Bend in South Texas since April, according to a United States Geological Survey seismologist. The expert says the rise in seismic activity over the past 10-15 years is largely tied to oil and gas operations in the Eagle Ford Shale region, including hydraulic fracturing and saltwater disposal.

Why it matters

The increase in earthquakes in the Eagle Ford Shale, while relatively small in magnitude so far, highlights the potential environmental impacts of the region's booming energy production. Regulators will likely face pressure to address the link between oil and gas activity and seismic events, as seen in other parts of Texas like the Permian Basin.

The details

Justin Rubinstein, a USGS research geophysicist, said the recent cluster of earthquakes near Corpus Christi, including three magnitude 3 quakes on April 6 and 8, are part of a broader trend of rising seismicity in the Eagle Ford Shale over the past decade. He attributes this to processes like hydraulic fracturing and the injection of large amounts of saltwater and wastewater back underground during oil and gas production.

  • Since the beginning of April, about 40 earthquakes have been documented in the Coastal Bend area.
  • On April 6 and 8, three magnitude 3 earthquakes were recorded near Pawnee.
  • The rise in earthquakes in the Eagle Ford Shale region began to accelerate around 2017.

The players

Justin Rubinstein

A research geophysicist and project leader for the USGS Induced Seismicity Project.

Eagle Ford Shale

A large underground rock formation in South Texas rich in oil and natural gas that has been heavily developed since the late 2000s using hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These earthquakes are located within the Eagle Ford Shale, a broad area stretching from Mexico to between Houston and Austin. Over the past 10 to 15 years, there has been a pretty big increase in seismicity in this area.”

— Justin Rubinstein, Research Geophysicist, USGS Induced Seismicity Project

“Speaking in a broader sense, the earthquakes in the past 15 years -- we believe most of these are induced, caused by humans, in particular processes related to oil and gas operations in the area.”

— Justin Rubinstein, Research Geophysicist, USGS Induced Seismicity Project

What’s next

Regulators may consider measures to address the link between oil and gas activity and increased seismic events in the Eagle Ford Shale, similar to steps taken in Oklahoma to reduce earthquake rates.

The takeaway

The rise in earthquakes in South Texas's Eagle Ford Shale region underscores the potential environmental impacts of the area's booming energy production. Policymakers will likely face pressure to find ways to mitigate the connection between oil and gas operations and increased seismic activity.