Minor Quakes In the UK Likely Caused By Fracking

Stirling Newberry writes "Non-conventional extraction of hydrocarbons is the next wave of production, including natural gas and oil – at least according to its advocates. One of the most controversial of the technologies being used is hydraulic fracture drilling, or 'fracking.' Energy companies have been gobbling up Google ad words to push the view that the technology is 'proven' and 'safe,' while stories about the damage continue to surface. Adding to the debate are two small tremors in the UK — below 3.0, so very small – that were quite likely the result of fracking there. Because the drilling cracks were shallow, this raises concerns that deeper cracks near more geologically active areas might lead to quakes that could cause serious damage."

Comments

Groundwater

[vossman77]

Not to mention its potential impact on local groundwater:

http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/index.cfm

Re:Groundwater

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/09/fracking-methane-flammable-drinking-water-study_n_859677.html

Re:Groundwater

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRZ4LQSonXA

This isn't what I had in mind when I asked for 'firewater'

The movie Gas Land has been discredited and this particular water source had Nat gas in it BEFORE fracking began. They are called hissing wells; water wells that are also souces of nat gas. If anything Fracking will improve the water source since it is removing the nat gas. Peddle your propaganda elsewhere.

Re:Even with a major earthquake

[sycodon]

Gas reserves are far below water tables in complete different strata...five thousand to 20,000 feet, far , far deeper than any aquifer.

But you keep drinking that Kool Aid.