Continued seismic monitoring of the Geysers, California geothermal area

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5417543· OSTI ID:5417543

Ludwin, R S; Bufe, C G

Probable effects of geothermal development on seismicity at the Geysers are shown by the spatial coherence of decreases in gravity and pressure with maximum geodetic deformation and seismic moment sum along a line through the most developed area of the geothermal field. Increases in the mean number of events per day and in the magnitude of largest annual event correlate with increases in steam production. The two largest earthquakes in the steam field occurred near the two injection wells most distant from production wells, and large events (M/sub c greater than or equal to 2.5) occurred most frequently during months of peak injection. Spatial seismic clusters in proximity to injection wells have occurred soon after injection began. Preliminary data also indicate an increase in seismicity in a previously aseismic area near plant 15 following the beginning of power production at that plant in 1979.

• Research Organization: Geological Survey, Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5417543
• Report Number(s): USGS-OFR-80-1060; ON: DE82904302
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEYSERS GEOTHERMAL FIELD
SEISMIC SURVEYS
SEISMICITY
DEFORMATION
FLUID INJECTION
FLUID WITHDRAWAL
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
GRAVITY SURVEYS
HYPOCENTERS
INJECTION WELLS
MAPS
MONITORING
POWER GENERATION
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
STRESSES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
POWER PLANTS
SURVEYS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
150600* - Geothermal Energy- Environmental Aspects
150301 - Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology- Geophysical Techniques & Surveys