Bayesian moment tensor inversion and uncertainty quantification for induced seismicity – uncertainties from both the location and velocity model

TitleBayesian moment tensor inversion and uncertainty quantification for induced seismicity – uncertainties from both the location and velocity model
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference2017
AuthorsGu, C, Marzouk, Y, M. Toksöz, N
Conference NameSEG
Abstract

In many oil/gas fields and hydrofracking processes induced earthquakes result from fluid extraction or injection. The locations and source mechanisms of these earthquakes provide valuable information about the reservoirs. Analysis of induced seismic events has mostly assumed a doublecouple source mechanism. However, recent studies have shown a non-negligible percentage of non-double-couple components of source moment tensors in hydraulic fracturing events. Without uncertainty quantification of the moment tensor solution, it is difficult to determine the reliability of these source models. This study develops a Bayesian method to perform waveform-based full moment tensor inversion and uncertainty quantification for the induced seismic events. We conduct tests with synthetic events to validate the method, and then apply our Bayesian inversion approach to real induced seismicity events.

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