Vaca Muerta: energy development at risk from earthquakes and fracking in Neuquén.

In the province of Neuquén, the oil field of Vaca Muerta presents a golden opportunity for the economic and energy development of Argentina. However, behind the shine of this promise lies a concerning reality: the increase in seismic activity in the region, which has led locals to live with growing fear. Since 2018, 499 earthquakes of various magnitudes have been recorded in this area, and many experts point to fracking as the main culprit behind this phenomenon. The latest earthquake occurred last weekend, intensifying the alarm among residents of nearby towns like Añelo. In this context, President Javier Milei is considering a trip to Vaca Muerta to meet with oil sector businessmen, which has generated criticism regarding the lack of attention to the concerns of the local population. The situation is complicated when considering that, despite the oil "boom," many inhabitants lack basic services like gas and communication and face serious problems such as a lack of heating. Geographer Javier Grosso, who promotes the Induced Seismicity Observatory, has pointed out that the phenomenon of seismicity induced by fracking is not new. "Before 2018, there were no earthquakes in this region. Since that year, everything has changed," he stated. Grosso explains that fracking, a technique that uses hydraulic fracturing of rocks to extract hydrocarbons, is directly linked to the reported tremors, which have increasingly affected the daily lives of citizens. So far this year, 52 earthquakes have been recorded, of which only 10 are of natural origin. Alarms have been particularly raised because tremors exceeding 4 on the Richter scale have been reported, which evidently generates concern and discomfort in a population that already feels vulnerable. "These are earthquakes," emphasizes Grosso, noting that the terminology used to describe these events can affect the perception of risk among residents. The strongest, with a magnitude of 5, occurred in March 2019. The role of the state, under the current administration of Governor Rolando Figueroa, has been the subject of criticism. Grosso highlighted that "there is no regulation on induced seismicity and, apparently, it is not in the plans of the Neuquén government to address this issue." The operating companies use a "seismic traffic light" system, which allows them to self-regulate their activities, but the state has no involvement in this process, contrasting with what happens in other countries like Canada and England, where state control is essential. Residents of Souzal Bonito, a nearby town, have begun to organize to demand more attention to their concerns. One of its inhabitants, Andrés Durán, describes his home as a place that used to be peaceful and idyllic, but now lives in constant alert due to the tremors. "The lives of people here are worth nothing. We have been displaced from our own land," he laments, highlighting the profound psychological and emotional impact that the earthquakes have had on the community. Insecurity has led neighbors to take action and seek justice. Since March of last year, they have filed a legal case in the Supreme Court of the Nation, but so far, the case has shown no progress. Durán points out that the sacrifice for energy sovereignty cannot fall on those who inhabit these lands, but must be borne by those who financially benefit from fracking. Fracking, which many see as the solution to the country's energy crisis, also presents an imminent risk to the lives and safety of the people living in its vicinity. While the president prepares to meet with businessmen, locals continue to face a reality filled with uncertainties and fears, in which their well-being seems to be relegated to a secondary concern. The situation in Vaca Muerta reflects a growing tension between economic development and the protection of the environment and the lives of local communities. The warnings from experts and the complaints from residents are clear: rigorous state control and effective regulation are needed to prioritize the safety and health of the population, rather than allowing companies to self-regulate without any oversight. It is crucial that the voices of the inhabitants of Neuquén are heard and that concrete measures are taken to address the issue of induced seismicity. The future of Vaca Muerta should not only be a matter of wealth and development but also of social justice and environmental care.