Does Hydraulic Fracturing Cause Seismic Activity?

531 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essay on the effects of hydraulic fracturing

The United States has an immense amount of proven natural gas reserves that could become a major source for the nation's energy future (1). The mining of the natural gas resources have become feasible and cheaper due to the advancement of hydraulic fracturing technologies which have increased the amount the extraction and enabled “greater access to gas in shale formations” (2). Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking of shale formations has positive benefits that includes economic growth and the natural gas extracted is cleaner than coal and oil, however it has caused serious environmental problems and possibly could be the cause of recent seismic activity in areas where fracking operations exist (3). Gas in shale formations are“low in permeability,” making it very tedious to extract, but with the increase in technological knowledge in fracking and horizontally drilling into shale beds, the vast reserves of natural gas resource could be extracted (4). Fracking is a large industrial operation that boost the “productivity of a oil or gas well” (5). It is a process by which, under very high pressure, a mixture of water, chemicals, and sand, are pumped into shale formations that causes fractures in the rocks to open wider or create new fractures that would allow otherwise trapped oil and gas to flow into the wells (6). 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... ... middle of paper ... ..., 9 Sept. 2013. Web. 23 Nov. 2013. 4. Montgomery, Carla W. Environmental Geology. 9th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2011. Print. 5. "What Is Fracking and Why Is It Controversial?" BBC News. BBC, 27 June 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. 6. "The Environmental Impact of Hydraulic Fracking." G4tv.com. N.p., 20 Apr. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. 7. Lobello, Carmel. "Does Fracking Cause Earthquakes?"Yahoo! News. Yahoo!, 06 Sept. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. 8. Upton, John. "Fracking Triggered More than 100 Earthquakes in Ohio."Grist. N.p., 5 Sept. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. 9. Upton, John. "Oil Industry Likely Triggered Big 2011 Oklahoma Earthquake, Scientists Find."Grist. N.p., 27 Mar. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. 10. Begley, Sharon. "Research Shows Quakes in 3 States Were Caused by Fracking."Research Shows Quakes in 3 States Were Caused by Fracking. Reuters, 11 July 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2013.

Show More
Related

  • The Pros and Cons of Fracking

    1351 Words  | 3 Pages

    In today's global economy, energy is one of the most crucial and sought after commodities. Who supplies it and how much they supply determines how much influence they have over other countries as well as the global economy. This is why hydraulic fracturing is currently such an important and controversial topic in the United States. Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as "fracking" or hydrofracturing, is the process of using pressurized liquids to fracture rocks and release hydrocarbons such as shale gas, which burns more efficiently than coal. This booming process of energy production provides a much needed economic boost, creating jobs and providing gas energy for Americans. 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. However, the negative side effects such as contaminated water and air, make hydraulic fracturing a process that may not be worth the benefits.

    Read More

  • Filling the Void: Hydraulic Fracturing

    1272 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hydraulic fracturing, also commonly referred to as fracking, is a type of drilling for natural gas and oil that started in the 1940’s. In the beginning, when a well was slowing down, dynamite or TNT were placed inside the well head and detonated to help the flow of gas and oil by expanding natural cracks and veins in the earth. This method of fracking was used extensively for almost fifty years in the United States until the easy to mine and profitable oil had been almost completely tapped. A new form of hydraulic fracking was created in the early 90’s to help capture the less available oil and gas pockets remaining in the United States. The current method of fracking begins by drilling a vertical shaft lined with several piping layers and an outer layer of cement up to 10,000 feet deep. After achieving the appropriate vertical length a horizontal shaft is cut off of the vertical shaft that can stretch to lengths up to one mile long. A mixture of sand, water, and chemicals are injected in the shaft fracturing the shale formations and release pockets of oil and natural gas. The water is brought back to the surface where the gas and oil is separated out. The issue many people have with fracking is the possible side effects of chemicals used and water contamination. With the use of fracking helping American’s reach energy independence, economic benefits, and a bridge to help attain a clean energy source; fracking should be expanded in the United States.

    Read More

  • The Consequences of Drilling for Natural Gas

    1644 Words  | 4 Pages

    The United States relies on imports for about forty percent of its crude oil, which is the lowest rate of dependency since 1991 according to the U.S Energy Information Administration. Today our country is trying to keep on track in becoming less and less dependent. When it comes to the topic of the future ways the United States will get its fuel, most of us readily agree that the United States should become more independent by using natural gas that is already here on our land. Where this argument usually ends, however, is on the question of the consequences drilling for natural gas brings. Whereas some are convinced drilling is safe, others maintain that it is actually in fact dangerous. Hydraulic fracturing or "fracking", the terms for drilling for natural gas, is dangerous to our public health and to the environment because of the water contamination it causes. Therefore, it is not something that should become a project for alternative fuel used by the United States.

    Read More

  • Fracking: The Water Problem

    1308 Words  | 3 Pages

    While methane is not a rare contaminant in drinking water wells, the fracking process seems to allow more methane to seep into the wells. A study headed by Duke University’s Robert B. Jackson, a professor of Environmental Sciences, shows that in Pennsylvania, drinking water wells within one kilometer of fracking sites contain nearly six times more methane than in wells farther away (Banerjee). Methane, no matter where it is contained, is flammable, thereby posing a risk for explosion, which is not good for homes. Reports show that a fracking site in Dimock, Pennsylvania caused methane to leak into a water well, where it detonated, leading to even further contamination of other water wells and homes (Henheffer 30). The domino effect presented here raises fear in critics of fracking, who seek only to stop the process from happen-

    Read More

  • The Ethical Issues Of Fracking

    959 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fracking can cause harm to people, animals, and nature. When they drill into the ground they are pumping chemicals to extract the gas and oil, and this contaminates the water sources around it. “An editorial on gas extraction from the Marcellus Shale in the Post-Star, a newspaper in Glens Falls, New York, contends, “New York state simply can’t take the risk. There are plenty of places to find fuel. It’s not so easy to find a new water supply for 17 million people.”” (Hydrofracking

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Fracking

    1715 Words  | 4 Pages

    Conflicting reports make it difficult to discern just how detrimental the practice is to the environment and people. What is known is that fracking uses phenomenal amounts of water, which is becoming a scarce resource in many parts of the country. There is no doubt that the fluid used in the fracking process contains chemicals, and when released into water supplies, has negative effects on these sources. Injection of flowback materials into deep wells has been definitively linked to increased seismic activity.

    Read More

  • The Problems with Fracking

    2006 Words  | 5 Pages

    Before one can see the devastating effects of fracking, one must first understand how fracking works. As previously stated, the main intent of hydro-fracking is to access and harvest natural gas that lies below the surface of the Earth. Having formed over 400 million years ago by the collision of tectonic plates (Marsa 3), the Marcellus Shale plays host to a gold mine of natural gas, which is currently at the center of the fracking debate in the Northeastern region of the United States. Unfortunately, access...

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of How Fracking Is Bad For Our Bodies

    628 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his article “How Fracking Is Bad for Our Bodies,” Jason Silverstein who is a lecturer and writer in residence in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School states the problem of hydraulic fracking in cities in the US. Silverstein article, which was published in, The Atlantic, on October 8, 2013, shows the problems caused by hydraulic fracking. Although Silverstein provides a wide array of disadvantages of fracking, he does not mention any advantages brought by fracking.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Fracking

    1029 Words  | 3 Pages

    environmental damage mounting, the practice of fracking has only quietly expanded and profited. This concealed expansion into the nation’s backyard has only

    Read More

  • What Does Fracking Cause Earthquakes

    266 Words  | 1 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Hydraulic Fracturing Research Paper

    1764 Words  | 4 Pages

    Around the world, countries are dependent on oil and more often than not, foreign oil. The U.S. is at a time where they believe buying foreign oil supports terrorism and hurts our economy. Shale formations deep underground that spread all over the U.S. have been found to contain natural gas. This includes the Marcellus Shale formation and the Utica Shale formation, which can be found all throughout New York State and down the East Coast (Hydro-Fracking pg.1). To get at this abundance of gas underground, hydraulic fracturing was invented, but this new method of gas extraction safe for the environment and for the people around it?

    Read More

  • Benefits Of Fracking

    848 Words  | 2 Pages

    Advanced technology has allowed the natural gas and oil industry to explore these fracking wells, but one question continues to be asked: does fracking cause earthquakes? During hydraulic fracking, the seismic events are less than magnitude minus 2 or 3 on the Richter scale, which is not very high for an earthquake. (Energy from Shale) A hydraulic fracturing study in England found that the combination of geological factors needed to create a higher magnitude earthquake was “extremely rare” and such events would be limited “to around a 3 on the Richter scale as a ‘worst case scenario.” (Energy from Shale) An Oklahoma Geological Survey study on seismicity near hydraulic fracturing activities concluded that it was “impossible to say with a high degree of certainty whether or not these earthquakes were triggered by natural means or by the nearby hydraulic-fracturing operation.” The study did say, however, the events under examination were “small earthquakes with only one local resident having reported feeling them. The earthquakes range in magnitude from 1.0 to 2.8.” (Energy from

    Read More

  • Fracking

    822 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although supporters say if fracking is properly regulated, it is safe and changes to the landscape would be minor. Fracking causes much damage to property as stated in the article "Fracking Faces Opposition Amid Safety Fears" (Adam). Charles Piddock, author of National Geographic Investigates, states that fracking can cause earthquakes. "A dozen small earthquakes that struck Ohio in 2011 were likely caused by fracking" (Piddock). There are also many landscape issues involving fracking. Each fracking site needs a lot of trucks to transport water and sand in and out to carry waste water away. Traffic wears down roads and the trucks used cause noise and odors that are harmful to the environment (Hartnett). Fracking is considered I obtainable and is largely responsible for recent development of unconventional reserv...

    Read More

  • Environmental Benefits Of Fracking

    702 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fracking has significant potential to alleviate our Nation’s dependency on foreign energy supplies; however, stringent regulation and careful monitoring are needed to assuage concerns regarding our nation’s water supplies, the environment and potential for increased seismic activity.

    Read More

  • Hydraulic Fracturing

    1223 Words  | 3 Pages

    Finally a recent phenomenon that has been encountered is the increased seismic activity in areas surrounding hydraulic fracturing well sites. Induced seismic activity is used to describe the transfer of utilized hydraulic fracturing liquids as a part of profound infusion wells either at too high a pressure or to close to a current geologic flaw causing disruptions that can be felt as

    Read More

More about Does Hydraulic Fracturing Cause Seismic Activity?

Open Document