Fracking firm Cuadrilla has announced a further “series” of micro seismic events in Blackpool, near its Lancashire Preston New Road site.
The company reported a 0.9ML (local magnitude) tremor, which Cuadrilla said was detected within its operational area at 2pm during hydraulic fracturing.
A spokesman for Cuadrilla said: “A series of micro seismic events in Blackpool have been recorded on the British Geological Survey (BGS) website today 14 December. The largest recorded was 0.9ML (local magnitude) at about 2pm. This occurred whilst we were hydraulically fracturing at the Preston New Road exploration site.
“Detected by Cuadrilla’s sophisticated monitoring system, and verified by the BGS, it will be classed as a ‘red’ event under the traffic light system operated by the Oil and Gas Authority.
“Cuadrilla has paused and will continue to monitor micro seismicity for at least 18 hours after the event was recorded, in line with the traffic light system regulations. Well integrity has been checked and verified.
On Wednesday, 1.5ML (local magnitude) tremor was recorded in Blackpool.
The firm is carrying out shale gas exploration at Preston New Road, Lancashire which is on the outskirts of the city.
A series of “micro seismic events” were recorded due to the fracking, which has now been halted for at least 18 hours.
The largest, which recorded at 1.5ML would be “like dropping a melon” according to a Cuadrilla statement.