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How does fracking work? - Mia Nacamulli

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Deep underground lie stores of once-inaccessible natural gas. There’s a technology, called hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” that can extract this natural gas, potentially powering us for decades to come. So how does fracking work and why is it a source of such heated controversy? Mia Nacamulli explains the ins and outs of fracking.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

What is it about fracking that causes so much concern? Read this BBC article to find out more about what exactly fracking is and why it is an issue to so many people. This video: Fracking explained: opportunity or danger? will provide more information on the topic. CNN also addresses fracking here. For two more informational sites on fracking, click here and here

What are the pros and cons of fracking? Yale Climate Connections addresses those issues here. This site may also provide more into both sides of this controversial method of natural gas extraction.

Is there really a connection between fracking and earthquakes frequency? This site addresses the debate and the USGS discusses some misconceptions about this topic at this link! Areas in Canada have also had problems with increasing amounts of seismic activity in areas where fracking has occurred. Click here to read an article about what is happening in Canada. Drilling for Earthquakes, from Scientific American, is also a great resource to gain some background more understanding about this controversial issue. What do you think about fracking? Finally, this video from the BBC again clarifies what fracking entails.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Mia Nacamulli
  • Director Sharon Colman
  • Composer Miguel d'Oliveira
  • Sound Designer Miguel d'Oliveira
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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