The Science Beneath the Surface: A Very Short Guide to the Marcellus Shale

by Don Duggan-Haas, Robert M. Ross, Warren D. Allmon

The Marcellus Shale — a vast rock formation that holds a huge reservoir of natural gas — is at the center of one of the most controversial natural resources issues of our time. This is primarily because of the unconventional method used to extract gas from the shale — slickwater horizontal high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking. Concerns about how widespread use of the practice will affect the natural environment — most especially freshwaters at the local level and climate at the global level — have thrust geology into the public view in a way seldom otherwise experienced. This book reviews the major science and technology issues around this complex topic, offering impartial, evidence-based, thought-provoking information to help citizens decide what to do.

252 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended, for everyone. It's written with lay-people and educators in mind. A little dry, but very informative.

A very good book, on several points. I was lucky enough to hear one of the author's speak a couple of years ago, and was very impressed by their work educating the public about the natural gas industry. No matter which end of the spectrum you stand on regarding horizontal high-volume hydraulic fracking, you will likely come out more towards the center after reading this extremely fair book. The authors take pains to represent the facts and not their own personal opinions (their funding depended upon their doing so), and so the book presents several aspects of the energy industry, the risks and rewards of aspects of it, the current lack of large amounts of peer-reviewed published studies on horizontal high-volume hydraulic fracking, and the importance of understanding the larger picture before making any decisions regarding it.

[Paula Mikkelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This is an impressive collection of information that brings the complexity and scale of the issue down to the fundamentals, stripped of ideology and hype. I know of no other work that tackles the broad issues with this degree of scope, detail, and neutrality. This approach is hugely needed and will greatly serve the public.” -Tom Wilber, journalist, blogger, and author of "Under the Surface: Fracking, Fortunes, and the Fate of the Marcellus Shale"(2012)

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

very informative. had to read it for class and research paper