Earthquakes caused by human activities are a growing societal concern affecting hydrocarbon and geothermal energy production, gas storage, and subsurface carbon sequestration efforts in the Unites States and throughout the world. Distinguishing between tectonic and induced earthquakes in tectonically active regions is extremely challenging. Moreover, induced seismicity in these regions pose greater risks, as human activities may trigger larger and more destructive earthquakes. Our project is developing state-of-the-art, physics-based models to investigate how nearly a century of production and waste-water injection in hydrocarbon fields of the Los Angeles basin, California, have impacted the stability of faults in the area. These models consider stress changes on faults caused both by tectonic and anthropogenic processes, thus helping to distinguish between tectonic and induced events. The project will advance methodologies to investigate and manage triggered seismicity in Los Angeles and other tectonically active regions.
Sponsored by: NSF Geology and Geophysics
ERL Personnel: Ruben Juanes (PI)
Collaborators: John Shaw (PI, Harvard), Lluis Salo-Salgado (Harvard)