The Argentine Patagonia is on alert because more than 600 tremors have been linked to fracking operations in the Vaca Muerta region. This activity, which promised to be a crucial economic engine, now raises concerns about structural damage and growing social tension in Neuquén.
Fracking in Vaca Muerta: More than 600 tremors and growing tension
Since the intensification of fracking in 2015, the number of seismic movements has increased significantly in previously stable areas. According to studies, there is a direct connection between the injected fluids and the subsurface readjustment. Meanwhile, energy production continues to break records.
A report from January prepared by NCS Multistage highlights a substantial increase in the number of hydraulic fractures in Neuquén. If current trends persist, 2026 could set a new record.
Vaca Muerta, an extensive shale formation enabled for fracking since 2013, is the epicenter of this activity. The region currently produces vast amounts of oil and gas, generating concern among local residents.
Experts and environmental activists in the province of Neuquén express their concern about the consequences of these operations, while inhabitants live in constant fear of tremors. Since 2018, the Induced Seismicity Observatory has recorded 442 tremors, a figure that experts assure exceeds 600.
The relationship between earthquakes and fracking is undeniable, according to Luciano Fucello, a professor at the Buenos Aires Institute of Technology. In towns like Sauzal Bonito and Añelo, part of the so-called “oil region,” production reached 570,000 barrels per day of shale oil in 2025.
In addition to the seismic impact, fracking requires large volumes of water, sand, and produces contaminant waste. A shale well can require up to 60,000 m³ of water, and most of this resource is not recovered, representing a serious environmental challenge.
The National Geographic Institute of Argentina has warned about the risk of contamination in the Negro River basin due to the high density of wells. This situation has reignited the debate about fracking in Latin America, where countries like Brazil and Colombia are reviewing their policies on hydraulic fracturing.
With more than 600 tremors recorded since 2018, residents associate the increase in seismic activity with the expansion of fracking operations. Hydraulic fracturing not only requires immense volumes of water and sand but also poses significant risks to the environment and nearby communities.
