A three-member task force appointed by Gov. Sam Brownback to explore whether man-made activity has caused a rise in earthquakes across southern Kansas isn’t making much progress, mainly because of a lack of data and disagreement among scientists about what’s causing the ground to shake.

The group met Wednesday with about 85 stakeholders to discuss whether hydraulic fracturing or other activities have contributed to the rise in temblors.

The Wichita Eagle reports 56 earthquakes have been recorded in the state in the past seven months, mostly in the south-central part of the state where oil production has boomed in the past few years.

Oil and gas producers urged the task force to avoid jumping to conclusions about whether hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is causing the earthquakes.
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