Fracking Explained In 45 Seconds

00:02

what is fracking it's short for

00:04

hydraulic fracturing it's different from

00:06

the traditional way of getting at oil

00:08

and gas reserves first a well is drilled

00:10

to reach Shale that's the type of rock

00:12

that traps natural gas and oil then a

00:14

cocktail of water sand and chemicals is

00:17

pumped in at high pressure that

00:19

fractures the shell forcing natural gas

00:21

and oil back up to the surface that's

00:24

often brought on economic Booms for

00:25

Regions that weren't doing so well so

00:28

what's the controversy why what to do

00:30

with all the leftover toxic Wastewater A

00:33

lot of it ends up being pumped deep

00:35

underground that's got some people

00:36

worried about polluting drinking

00:38

supplies and scientists say the process

00:40

can cause earthquakes but they argue

00:42

over just how big and how

00:44

many want more download the AJ Plus

00:47

mobile app and join the conversation

00:49

available in your app store now