A Survey of Hydraulic Fracking
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Authors
Wolfson, Mattie N.
Issue Date
2020
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Hydraulic fracking or fracturing is a process being used all over the world in order to extract natural gas and oil from the deep sediment layers of Earth. High pressure liquid is injected into shale in order to create new cracks and force open existing fissures and fractures found within the rock. Wells are drilled vertically and horizontally for thousands of feet in order to extract the naturally occurring fossil fuels. Fracking has increased drastically in the United States and has many benefits for the country as a whole. It has eliminated the dependency of foreign resources, lowered the prices of the products, allowed for more exports, and decreased air pollution. Although fracking has its benefits, there are also problems with the process. It destroys the environment, contaminates water supplies, results in small earthquakes, and causes health problems. These problems have resulted in strict regulations, and in some states and countries, hydraulic fracturing has been banned.