The study will be working with seismology experts at energy companies, government agencies and universities across the U.S.

The effort follows Ohio's discovery of a probable link between fracking and tremors in eastern Ohio.

In 2012, Gov. John Kasich halted disposal of fracking wastewater surrounding a well site nearby after a series of earthquakes later tied to a deep-injection well.

WV officials have indicated that the injection of millions of gallons of water used in hydraulic fracking into old Braxton County wells are not related to a series of small earthquakes in the region, and that fracking was not connected to several small quakes in Gilmer County near drilling operations.

See   OHIO LINKS SMALL QUAKES TO MARCELLUS-UTICA DRILLING - WV Seismologist Says WV Quakes Not Connected To Drilling Activity