[Scarlett.]

The latest quake, near the fracking site in Preston New Road, Lancs, measured 0.76 on the Richter Scale.

An earthquake of 0.5 has the TNT equivalent of 5.6kg — or a large hand grenade.

Anti-frackers claim pollution from drilling shale gas includes cancer-causing chemicals.

And people living near fracking sites often panic about the increase in tremors.

Protesters chained themselves to equipment at the site last week and others took to Twitter to to speak-out against fracking.

One said: “Great to see such potent community resistance against this disgusting industry.”

“Recent events have galvanised so many people to stand up against fracking!” added another.

Energy firm Cuadrilla started drilling for shale gas last week, but the company called their second halt to proceedings in a week due to the “micro seismic event”.



But it said the quake was “way below anything that would be felt at the surface”.

They stopped after 11.30am this morning after the tremor was detected on the grounds.

Cuadrilla confirmed operations would stop for at least 18 hours following the micro seismic event.

Cuadrilla said in a statement: "A micro seismic event of 0.76ML (local magnitude) was detected just after 11.30am this morning at Cuadrilla's shale gas exploration site.

Daily Star