Truss urged to lift key restriction and spark fracking revolution for major energy boost

Environmental groups and locals alike were concerned over the earth tremors (small movements in the earth’s surface), which, while they are not considered to be large in scale and are rarely felt, have still sparked issues for people living near shale gas wells. For instance, there were over 120 recorded tremors during drilling at Cuadrilla’s New Preston Road site.

And three years ago, Cuadrilla’s test operations in Lancashire caused a magnitude 2.9 tremor which sparked complaints from nearby residents who reported shaking in their homes, with some even claiming that objects fell off of shelves. However, experts claim fracking will not cause tremors with a magnitude of more than 3.

Current rules mean drilling must stop if it triggers tremors of 0.5 or more on the Richter scale, but experts claim tremors naturally occur at this level and with a minimum intensity that it is almost impossible to be felt above the ground. In fact, the Royal Society says tremors up to magnitude 2 are not likely to be felt above ground.

Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1669058/truss-fracking-earthquakes-restriction-shale-gas-energy-crisis