In Michigan, cleanliness is often considered a given when swimming in the Great Lakes, but when something called fracking moves into town, that cleanliness may be jeopardized.

Grand Valley State University’s Student Environmental Coalition came together Monday to discuss this new trend and the risks involved.

“Students need to learn about fracking because it is a dangerous practice that has been around for a few decades but has only been real prevalent within the past 5 years or so,” said Vince Panozzo, president of the SEC.

So what is it?

Fracking refers to the process of injecting water, chemicals and sand at a high volume underground, breaking up pieces of shale to allow natural gas to come to the surface. There are still many unknowns, but Michigan residents especially do not want to risk anything.

Peter Wampler, a geology professor at GVSU, gave a presentation to discuss the many questions involved with this movement.

Some of the issues mentioned included the cause of micro-earthquakes, instability and the contamination of groundwater and surface water as well as a greater dependence of fossil fuels.

Based on Wampler’s presentation, fracking can cause earthquakes, although their size may not be significant due to the deepness of the fracking process.

“You’re not going to get a California earthquake from fracking,” Wampler said. Although he said it is possible, it is not likely. “You probably won’t feel it on the surface.”

In addition, the many chemicals used in the process may contaminate groundwater, and formation water from the shale may contaminate surface water with many metals treatment centers are not familiar with treating. Although there are no complete answers as to how much of an impact fracking would have on the water systems, this is what has many Michigan residents worrying.

According to The Michigan Messenger, Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality has required fracking operators to report the total volume of water they recover from wells they pump as well as publicly post chemicals used in their process. This, however, does not necessarily mean there will be protection of Michigan waters.

“We do need more answers,” Wampler said. “We shouldn’t be doing this so quickly.”

Chris Williams, author of the book “Ecology and Socialism,” was also there to weigh in on not only fracking, but also environmental issues surrounding it as well as other issues in society, touching on the Occupy Movement and the distribution of wealth in the United States.

Students can help by attending meetings concerning fracking and speaking up against it and for clean water, air and environment, Panozzo said.

“Students and others can help change policies in regards to fracking by joining an environmental organization like us and by holding a march, rally or film screening to help raise awareness,” Panozzo said.

He also mentioned signing petitions on websites like www.signon.org and www.foodandwaterwatch.org.

For more information, Williams recommended the documentary “Gas Line.”

Additional information on the movement against Michigan fracking can be found at www.banmichignafracking.org.

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