A major consequence of natural gas extraction from shale is the risk of earthquakes due to fracking.

The process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, used to extract natural gas from shale, can lead to induced seismicity, which refers to small earthquakes triggered by human activities. While the fracking itself may not cause large earthquakes, the disposal of wastewater into deep wells, often a byproduct of the process, has been linked to increased seismic activity in areas like Oklahoma and Texas. These small tremors, while typically not dangerous, have raised concerns about the environmental impact of shale gas extraction, highlighting the risks of induced earthquakes alongside other issues like groundwater contamination​.