Fracking linked to earthquakes in England

Many people suspected that fracking was linked to the earthquake in Virginia earlier this year, so this shouldn't come as a complete surprise. What is somewhat of a surprise is that the issue has been ignored by the political class who are drunk on fracking lobby donations.

Reuters:

Shale gas exploration triggered small earthquakes near Blackpool in northwest England earlier this year, UK firm Cuadrilla Resources said, adding to concerns about the safety of a technology that is transforming U.S. energy markets.

A spokesman said on Wednesday tremors were triggered by pumping vast quantities of water at high pressure 3 kilometers underground through drill holes in a process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which is designed to prop open shale rocks and release trapped gas.

"It is highly probable that the hydraulic fracturing of Cuadrilla's Preese Hall-1 well did trigger a number of minor seismic events," a report commissioned by the company said.