Where is shale rock found in the UK?
In the UK, four areas have been identified as potentially viable for the commercial extraction of shale gas: the Carboniferous Bowland–Hodder area in north-west England (Lancashire and the Midlands) the Carboniferous Midland Valley in Scotland. the Jurassic Weald Basin in south England.
Does the UK have aquifers?
The principal aquifers of the UK are found in the lowlands of England. The most important are the Chalk, the Permo-Triassic sandstones, the Jurassic limestones and the Lower Greensand.
How many aquifers are there in the UK?
The Environment Agency has designated 11 principal aquifers in England and Wales. These are listed below, with the youngest aquifers at the top and the oldest at the bottom of the list.
What is a principal aquifer?
Principal aquifers are layers of rock or drift deposits that have high intergranular and/or fracture permeability, meaning they usually provide a high level of water storage and transmission. They may support water supply and/or river base flow on a strategic scale.
Can oil and LNG be found in shale?
Hydrocarbons, such as oil and gas, are produced by the transformation of organic matter (plants; animals; algae, etc.) The gas is produced, stored and sealed within impermeable shale and can be released only after the shale is drilled and artificially fractured during an extraction process.
Where in the UK is fracking taking place?
Lancashire
Currently the only active fracking site in the UK, operated by the energy firm Cuadrilla, is near Blackpool in Lancashire.
How far down is the water table UK?
Observational data suggests that water tables in the UK are almost always above 100 metres below ground level. In areas where water is very shallow presenting the raw data might imply a greater than warranted accuracy.
How is groundwater obtained in UK?
Groundwater is a vital source of drinking water in many parts of the United Kingdom and around the world. We can extract it by constructing wells or boreholes. These areas have lots of water in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. This is called surface water and supplies most of their drinking water.
What is the biggest aquifer in the world?
Great Artesian Basin
Groundwater aquifers can be truly huge. The world’s largest aquifer is the Great Artesian Basin in Australia. It covers 1.7 million square kilometres, equivalent to about a quarter of the entire country and 7 times the area of the UK. The Great Artesian Basin is also the deepest aquifer in the world.
Where is the biggest aquifer in the United States?
Ogallala Aquifer
The Ogallala Aquifer is the largest aquifer in the United States. It is part of the High Plains aquifer system, which underlies parts of eight states from Texas to South Dakota.
Which country has the most shale oil?
Russia
Russia has the biggest shale oil reserves in the world.
What eras of geology are there in the UK and Ireland?
BGS © UKRI. Download our free colour-in geology map of the UK and Ireland to help you learn about the eras of the Phanerozoic eon and the late Proterozoic eon. You can also use this geological map to help you learn when the sedimentary rocks of the UK and Ireland were formed.
How can I learn about the geology of the UK?
Download our free colour-in geology map of the UK and Ireland to help you learn about the eras of the Phanerozoic eon and the late Proterozoic eon. You can also use this geological map to help you learn when the sedimentary rocks of the UK and Ireland were formed.
What are the natural resources of the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom has fossil fuels of coal, petroleum and natural gas. Metal resources in the country include iron ore, lead, tin, zinc and gold.