FRACKING 1

Fracking

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 FRACKING 2

Fracking

Geological reports indicate that human activity has induced earthquakes such as in the

state of OKlahoma. However, the concept of human-induced earthquakes is not new as the

gas/oil extraction earthquakes connection has been a well-known phenomenon over the last

decade. The process of hydraulic fracturing also known as fracking involves fracturing rock

formations through the injection of specialized fluids into rock cracks in order to force the rocks

further apart. The purpose of this process is to increase the gas flow and other fossils beneath the

earth into the production well.

In the United States, most of the states have frackable natural reserves with 21 of them

already engaging in the practice. Among the leading states are California, Texas, Michigan and

West Virgin which are engaged in high-intensity fracking. The process as a way of energy

extraction became prominent in the early 1990s. Other countries where fracking is prominent

include Bulgaria, Germany, Canada, France, China and Denmark. According to U.S. Energy

Information Administration fracking accounted for two thirds of the United States oil and gas

production as of 2015 indicating a 34% increase from the 33% hydraulically fractured wells in

2000.

Since fracking began in Oklahoma the state has been averaging three minor earthquakes

per day from a previous average of two per year in the period between 2000 and 2015

(Metrocosm). The state serves as the best indicator of how fracking is correlated to earthquakes.

The injected fluids causes the rocks beneath the earth to move thus inducing earthquakes. It is

only as late as 2014 that the U.S Geological Survey first captured this phenomenon in their

hazard estimation model. Even then, there hasnt been any notable policy measure put in place

by the federal government to carb this practice.