Fracking is the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks, boreholes, so as to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas. Fracking is not causing most of the induced earthquakes. Wastewater disposal is the primary cause of the recent increase in central united states. Hydraulic fracturing is more likely to induce earthquakes if there is wastewater being disposed. Not all wastewater injection wells induce earthquakes. Most injection wells are not associated with felt earthquakes.
Experts say there is an important distinction to be made between saying that hydraulic fracking causes earthquakes and saying that the disposal of fracking wastewater causes earthquakes. 1
I think fracking does not cause earthquakes
Hydraulic fracturing, also called fracking, is a technique designed to release the gas and oil from shale rock hidden underneath earth’s surface. The term fracking itself is referring to the point at which the shale rock is broken open by a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals. Oil and gas fracking can be dangerous to the environment and also to humans. “In 2011, energy company Cuadrilla suspended test fracking operations near Blackpool, in Lancashire, after two earthquakes of 1.5 and 2.2 magnitudes hit the area. A subsequent study found it was highly probable that shale gas test drilling triggered the tremors” (BBC). Although these tremors were too small to do any damage above ground, this was still a test drill. If an oil rig were to become operational, the tremors could increase in magnitude, causing significant damage both above ground and underneath the earth’s
The efficiently burning shale gas reduces carbon emission from electricity production plants, reducing carbon footprints on the environment. However, the process of hydraulic fracturing uses millions of gallons of pressurized liquid, which contains toxic chemicals, and some of this water is left over undealt with. The air near fracking sites is often also polluted and unsafe for nearby community residents. Injecting millions of gallons of water laced with toxic chemicals into the rock thousands of feet deep can cause earthquakes, causing a safety hazards for all nearby areas. Hydraulic Fracturing makes rare natural gases easily attainable, boosting the economy and reducing carbon emissions.
There are concerns that fracking could be the causation of earthquakes. In areas where fracking operations occur and earthquakes are not the norm, there has been instances of seismic activity. For example, before 2011, the last seismic activity experienced by small town in Ohio named Youngstown was in 1776, but in a span of months during 2011, more than 100 instances of seismic activity ranging from 2.7 to 3.9 on the Ric...
Current research, in the field of public health, is looking at the adverse health effects of hydraulic fracturing on community members. This research is focused on looking for evidence-based research in processes, procedures, materials and cleanup from drilling and running a well. In recent years, several states such as Maryland and New York, have called for special advisory commissions to examine the potential adverse health implications for the community if the moratoriums are lifted and fracturing is allowed to start. A lot of the previous research conducted focused on the anecdotal perspective of the adverse health effects. This perspective does not offer scientific verification that the fracturing processes are causing them or evidence where the contaminations are coming from.
Hydraulic fracturing is a controversial process. You have multiple sides weighing in on the issue, from an environmental, economic, public and private views. However only one view is the correct one and it is an ethical choice between hydraulic fracturing being safe or not. The act, by the engineers, of allowing continuation of hydraulic fracturing is unethical because the process uses vast amounts of fresh water that directly affect the public health and welfare. Hydraulic fracturing leaves frac fluid deep underground where it is trapped and does not recharge the overall water cycle of the earth. Further research is needed to see how to contain and minimize potential effects of deep underground additives on soil and how to reduce the amount of freshwater used in the fracturing process.
In the documentary Gasland the main concerns of Josh Fox regarding hydraulic fracturing were the industry was highly unregulated and reckless which caused the contamination of ground and drinking water which was the cause of illness.. The most important concern Josh had was hydraulic fracturing was causing the contamination of peoples ground and drinking water. He claims hydraulic fracturing is causing gases such as methane and heavy metals such as mercury, use...
“Hydraulic fracturing involves the use of water pressure to create fractures in rock that allow the oil and natural gas it contains to escape and flow out of a well (Energy From Shale).” Fracking has served to extract natural gas and oil where other methods would not be as successful but many environmentalists argue that fracking is affecting the environment and our drinking supply of water. Although fracking is still a controversial topic, it provides Americans jobs, increases the economy of the region, and the natural gas and oil are cleaner and more affordable source of energy. The EPA recognizes that natural gas and oil are an essential part to help our planet survive but do not want fracking to come at an expense to the public health of the citizens or to the environment.
First, a production well is drilled down into the ground for thousands of feet and then gradually leveled so that the tip of the drill travels horizontally through the ground. The second part of the process is where it gets the name of “fracking” because the second step in the process is where a mixture of sand, water, and chemicals, many of which are known to be harmful, are forced under extremely high pressure down into the shale through the horizontal part of the drill.... ... middle of paper ... ... Retrieved from the Gale Science in Context database. (A264004904) -.
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking, is a widespread practice in the United States. Fracking is a method used to extract oil and natural gas. Scientists and citizens report detrimental side effects of hydraulic drilling. New York and Vermont have banned fracking statewide. Maryland has set a two-year moratorium on fracking, so that more research can be done to show the impacts of fracking on the environment.
Imagine a world where fresh and clear water was a luxury. Imagine water so contaminated with chemicals that every plant it comes into contact with dies. As the trees begin to die, oxygen levels drop. As the vegetation dies, wildlife begins to die out. The polluted water which flows through the ground into wells causes instant contamination. As the water flows out of the sink, one can strike a match and light the liquid on fire. Showering in these chemicals is out of the question. Fresh water has become a comfort, rather than a given. Could planet Earth survive this existence? If hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking, were deemed legal, this question may be put to the test. Fracking is a process in which chemicals, sand and water are used in “high volumes… to fracture gas-bearing layers of rock” (Dolesh 2). As the rock breaks, natural gas is released and then collected to be used as energy. The United States is currently sitting on a gold mine of natural gas which could stimulate our ever declining economy. The question is what price are we willing to pay for a temporary fix? Fracking is a dangerous process that should be deemed illegal due to its harmful short and long-term environmental effects.
Fracking is a controversial subject as it is both beneficial and harmful. Fracking is more harmful than beneficial as it causes environmental damage. Fracking is a process used by many large companies. Companies that use fracking are Chevron Corp, ExxonMobil Corp, and ConocoPhillips Co. Fracking is used to retrieve gas from hard to get places by injecting fluid at high pressure to fracture shale rocks and retrieve their natural gas.
Fracking is also not legal in some areas of the world. In fact, in 2001 France banned hydraulic fracturing due to environmental concerns (The Facts on Fracking). On top of that, in some towns, cities, and counties in the states of New York, West Virginia, Texas, Colorado, Ohio, and California they have made moratoria or even banns of hydraulic fracturing (The Fracking Facts).One might say that hydraulic fracturing is good because in the United States it is helping us become a more independent country. On the contrary hydraulic fracturing is hurting the country because fracking can cause earthquakes or tremors. In fact, in Oklahoma the biggest earthquake was caused by a hydraulic
Fracking is quickly becoming a debatable topic in our society today. The practice involves injecting fluid into the ground to fracture rock in order to release natural gas. It sounds like it would be a safe way to harness fuels in the earth’s surface, but it actually is a danger to our environment. Because of the dangers of fracking, what little fresh water remains on earth is being contaminated. It is also releasing toxins into the airs creating contaminated air and acid rain. Because of the many health and environmental dangers of fracking, it should be stopped immediately to help prevent more worldwide health issues down the road.
In the U.S today, many oil companies are fracking, or drilling holes for oil, on our precious land. In the United States, the midwest is where most of the fracking is coming from. The fracking has made the diversity of the local wildlife slim. Many things can be done to improve the environment to help with fracking. Fracking causes our environment to change in bad ways, we have to help stop or lessen it.
Fracking is a highly controversial practice that utilizes the injection of water, chemicals and abrasives to extract relatively inaccessible pockets of natural resources. Although fracking has the potential to benefit the economy, it may also pose a significant impact on the environment, the ecosystem and safety.