Hydraulic Fracking
Is it worth the consequences?
What is Fracking?
Hydraulic fracturing, which is better known as "fracking", is the process in which holes are drilled into the ground and a pressurized liquid is injected to fracture shale rock and release natural gas. Marcellus Shale is a rock found deep under the surface. It was formed millions of years ago from mud and other organic material. Gas was formed from material that decomposed and was trapped inside.
Gas Well
New vertical gas well used for fracking.
Marcellus Shale
A Marcellus Shale formation in the side of a mountain.
The Process
Above is an overview of the entire process of Hydraulic Fracking.
The map above shows the location of the Marcellus Shale which reaches from Upper New York to West Virginia and parts of Ohio.
The Dangers of Fracking
Although fracking is the latest and greatest energy craze, it has many downsides. Environmental agencies make these known. Water is being contaminated, especially in wells, by chemicals in the fracking solution including flammable methane gas. Some scientists actually believe that the drilling is disturbing the delicate balance of the ground and is responsible for several recent earthquakes. The gas also leaks into the air causing pollution and poor air quality. The government has barely monitored fracking which leaves it completely unsafe. It is also a much more costly resource than other fossil fuels. With all these factors, is fracking really all that it is cracked up to be? The cons outweigh the pros.
Flammable Water
Natural gas and other chemicals have gotten into the water supply and the water has become contaminated and flammable.
Seismic Activity
Earthquakes are being linked to the underground drilling. It is disturbing the ground and fault lines.
Contamination
This is the consequence that hydraulic fracking has on our freshwater supply.
Light Your Water On Fire from Gas Drilling, Fracking