i think it's because of all the oil drilling that has been done to Texas over the last century. the tectonic plates are no longer properly lubricated. without enough oil, the plates are grinding against each other.
This could be incredible but true...Maybe 2012 will be a cause of oil digging, fat texans with cowboy hats?
The library at my alma mater, Texas State University - San Marcos, sits squarely on the Balcones Fault Line. From what I've heard anyway. I would always imagine how much of a disaster an earthquake there would be. Spoiler ...
Man I've experienced 2 earth quakes in my life. The first one, I got really sick.. the second one was in 2008. Was talking to a few friends when I felt the ground shake. Took off like a ninja. Forget the girls.
LOL..please tell me , you dont mean your little ones.....But seriously , its fascinating to me the way nature can cause such catastrophes....I surely would never wanna experience one of these "biggies" but I kinda do in a way... But I wanna live to tell about it, thats the catch!!!!
Houston has fault lines too. http://http://blackjackoak.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/fault-lines-under-houston-texas/
We had two more last night in East Texas. Northwest of Timpson iirc. A 4.1 and 4.3 magnitude. Potentially after shocks from the 4.8 from last summer.