Fracking causes earthquakes, studies confirm

[styky]

Fracking causes earthquakes, studies confirm
The Canadian Press
Posted: Apr 17, 2012 10:53 AM ET
Last Updated: Apr 17, 2012 1:09 PM ET
Read 607 comments607
Two separate studies are providing insights into the earth-shaking consequences of the controversial gas extraction process known as fracking.

Both studies confirm that hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, can trigger manmade earthquakes. The process involves blasting water, sand and chemicals deep into the ground to fracture rock to obtain oil and natural gas.

Energy companies are increasingly using the technique across Canada, where there is already regular seismic activity and an ever looming threat of various sized tremors.

The U.S. Geological Survey is set to release its findings Wednesday that a "remarkable" increase of quakes in the U.S. midcontinent since 2001 is "almost certainly" the result of oil and gas production.

U.K. experts, meanwhile, point to a study released Monday that found recent earthquakes in northwest England were caused by fluid injection into a nearby fault zone as evidence fracking can be safe when conducted by responsible operators.

The consultants' report, commissioned by the U.K. government and published on Tuesday recommends that fracking should be halted temporarily if there is a tremor greater than magnitude 0.5 on the Richter scale. Cuadrilla Resources, a company that halted its fracking activities in northwestern England following tremors of magnitudes 2.3 and 1.5 in April and May last year, has said that is acceptable.

Opposition to fracking has ramped up since the release of the 2010 documentary "Gasland," which shows residents of small town Colorado setting alight tap water they charge was soured by nearby oil industry activity.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story ... ml?cmp=rss

[styky]

Stock - Fracking diagram, natural gas

The diagram shows a basic description of how the fracking process works

http://energeticcity.ca/article/news/20 ... arthquakes

[styky]

Humans Behind Strongest Oklahoma Quake Ever Recorded, Research Suggests

http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/2785-ok ... quake.html

[styky]

Fracking-Linked Earthquakes Spurring State Regulations

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-2 ... tions.html

[Blaze Pascal]

if fracking causes earthquakes, then maybe CO2 sequestration will cause volcanoes.

Seriously, I don't think it is environmentally wise to move forward with this untested technology. The science just isn't in yet. It's just not worth the risk. Honestly, if even one person dies from pumping CO2 underground, how would you like it to be your own mother?

[RedDog]

99% of the population have no clue what fracking even is. They're just inventing bluff stories now for political enviro gain. If it's in any way connected to oil or drilling or anything downhole or Alberta it must be bad. The move is on to merge downhole activity now with the solar system destroying oil sands in people's heads so that ALL oil will be bad. Next up no doubt - the evils of snubbing.

[styky]

The question I have is how long has fracking been taking place in Alberta and how many earthquakes have their been. I hear the sound of crickets.

[dave]

I was working in the Alberta oil patch back in the 70's and it was a well established procedure then.......

[J.B. Stone]

In light of this study I am asking all the teens in the area to stop fracking around before we succumb to an earthquake...

[nigelf]

If fracking does in fact cause small earthquakes this can only be looked at as a good thing. Major damaging earthquakes occur when the seismic plates build up so much pressure that they move violently and cause massive above-ground damage. Releasing that pressure every now and then through fracking will prevent the formation of the higher pressures that are so damaging.

[DA_Champion]

If fracking does in fact cause small earthquakes this can only be looked at as a good thing. Major damaging earthquakes occur when the seismic plates build up so much pressure that they move violently and cause massive above-ground damage. Releasing that pressure every now and then through fracking will prevent the formation of the higher pressures that are so damaging.

That's a very nice cartoon.

[styky]

Why Anti-Fracking Groups Are Shifting Their Story From Water To Air Quality
http://www.forbes.com/sites/energysourc ... r-quality/