- Vaca Muerta is a large area in Argentina.
- Many local people worry about fracking in the area.
- Fracking has grown quickly since 2015.
- Local people say they now feel more earthquakes.
- Quakes stopped when industry paused during the pandemic.
- Shale wells need much more water than normal wells.
- Officials monitor earthquakes but opinions often still differ.
- There are worries about waste and river pollution.
- Large amounts of sand are used for fracking.
- No Latin American country has banned fracking.
Difficult words
- fracking — method to get oil and gas from rock
- earthquake — sudden shaking of the groundearthquakes
- pandemic — a disease that spreads to many countries
- well — a hole in the ground for water or oilwells
- monitor — to watch or check something over time
- pollution — dirty or harmful things in water or air
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you heard of fracking?
- Have you ever felt an earthquake?
- Do you worry about river pollution near you?
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