The Role of Fracking in Neuquén
Javier Grosso, a geographer and member of the Induced Seismicity Observatory, warned that natural seismicity in the northern Patagonia region is historically low. However, the focus must be on events caused by human activity, specifically hydraulic fracturing (fracking), a technique used to extract oil and gas by injecting high-pressure fluid into rock layers.
It is not something to be taken lightly, the specialist emphasized, noting that there is enough evidence for seismic information to be public and for the Neuquén government to address the situation.
Unlike major continental earthquakes, events in localities like Sauzal Bonito, Añelo, or Rincón de los Sauces occur at very shallow depths (between 2 and 6 kilometers). This means that, despite their low magnitude, they have high intensity and direct impacts on surface infrastructure.
Recent Figures and Background
The Observatory reported two new earthquakes associated with fracking: one on August 6, 2026 (magnitude 2.8, 6 km deep, 35 km south of Rincón de los Sauces) and another on August 12, 2026 (magnitude 2.6, 5 km deep, in the El Trapial area operated by Chevron).
With these records, the province has registered 57 earthquakes in 2026 so far, all linked to unconventional hydrocarbon activity.
The most severe precedent occurred on March 7, 2019, with a magnitude 5 on the Richter scale at just 3 km deep. This event caused a 2-centimeter surface uplift near Sauzal Bonito, according to a study published in the scientific journal Nature in November 2022, led by Guillermo Tamburini Beliveau.
Seismic Hazard Map and Chile's Influence
According to the National Institute of Seismic Prevention (INPRES), Neuquén is divided into two hazard zones:
| Zone | Location | Hazard Level |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | East of the province | Reduced |
| Zone 2 | West and Andes Mountains | Moderate |
While earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela (driven by different tectonic plate dynamics) do not increase the risk in Neuquén, proximity to Chile is a key factor. A major earthquake on the western side of the Andes could be strongly felt in Neuquén mountain towns such as Villa La Angostura, San Martín de los Andes, or Junín de los Andes.
Science cannot predict earthquakes with absolute precision, but it can identify higher-probability regions to establish building codes and preventive measures, always focusing on the resilience and safety of local communities.