Marcellus Shale

The Marcellus Shale is a large underground rock formation located primarily in the northeastern United States, particularly in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It contains significant amounts of natural gas trapped within the shale, making it an important source of energy. The formation was created millions of years ago from ancient marine organisms and has become a focal point for natural gas extraction using techniques like hydraulic fracturing (fracking). This has raised economic opportunities as well as environmental concerns, including impacts on water sources and air quality, sparking ongoing discussions about energy production and environmental protection.