Injection-Induced Earthquakes

Earthquakes in unusual locations have become an important topic of discussion in both North America and Europe, owing to the concern that industrial activity could cause damaging earthquakes. It has long been understood that earthquakes can be induced by impoundment of reservoirs, surface and underg...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2013-07, Vol.341 (6142), p.142-142
Main Author: Ellsworth, William L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Earthquakes
Earthquakes, seismology
Environmental management
Exact sciences and technology
Fluid injection
Government regulation
Human
Hydraulic fracturing
Hydraulics
Internal geophysics
Monitoring
News
Physics
REVIEW SUMMARY
Seismic phenomena
Seismic waves
Sewage treatment
Waste water
Wastewater
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Summary:Earthquakes in unusual locations have become an important topic of discussion in both North America and Europe, owing to the concern that industrial activity could cause damaging earthquakes. It has long been understood that earthquakes can be induced by impoundment of reservoirs, surface and underground mining, withdrawal of fluids and gas from the subsurface, and injection of fluids into underground formations. Injection-induced earthquakes have, in particular, become a focus of discussion as the application of hydraulic fracturing to tight shale formations is enabling the production of oil and gas from previously unproductive formations. Earthquakes can be induced as part of the process to stimulate the production from tight shale formations, or by disposal of wastewater associated with stimulation and production. Here, I review recent seismic activity that may be associated with industrial activity, with a focus on the disposal of wastewater by injection in deep wells; assess the scientific understanding of induced earthquakes; and discuss the key scientific challenges to be met for assessing this hazard.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1225942