What is hydraulic fracturing?

Hydraulic fracturing, often referred to as "fracking," is primarily recognized as a technique for extracting underground resources, particularly oil and natural gas. This process involves injecting high-pressure fluid into subterranean rock formations, which creates fractures in the rock, allowing the natural resources to flow more freely to the surface. The fluid typically consists of water, sand, and various chemicals, which help to maintain the fractures and enhance the extraction process.

Understanding this context clarifies why this answer is suitable for the question. The other options refer to different engineering and environmental processes. For example, soil stabilization usually involves methods like compaction or the use of additives to improve the properties of soil, which is unrelated to hydraulic fracturing. Enhancing fluid flow in pipes focuses on managing how fluids move through plumbing or hydraulic systems, while soil erosion control aims to prevent soil loss from wind or water. These processes do not involve the extraction of subsurface resources in the way hydraulic fracturing does.