Locating microearthquakes induced by hydraulic fracturing in crystalline rock

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL014i009p00919· OSTI ID:5931888

House, L

Microearthquakes induced by hydraulic fracturing in crystalline rock at a depth of 3.5 km were located with a precision of better than 30 m to obtain information about the geometry and dimensions of the fracture system produced. The induced microseismicity was monitored by a network of five vorehole seismic stations; a total of about 800 induced events were reliably located from arrival times. Event locations show a tabular distribution that strikes 350/sup 0/ and dips 65/sup 0/ east, subparallel to the injection well. The injection was intended to produce a fracture system that would hydraulically connect two subparallel wells. A lack of fluid communication between them is consistent with a lack of induced microearthquakes near the target wellbore. The 150 m thickness of the zone of seismicity far exceeds the relative locational uncertainties. The injected fluid appears to have stimulated a zone of rock, rather than simply a single fracture. The distribution of microseismic events presumably envelopes the zone of fluid paths created by the fracture experiment.

• Research Organization: Earth and Space Sciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory
• OSTI ID: 5931888
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 14:9; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580201* -- Geophysics-- Seismology & Tectonics-- (1980-1989)
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
COMMINUTION
DETECTION
EARTHQUAKES
FLUID FLOW
FRACTURING
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
IGNEOUS ROCKS
MICROEARTHQUAKES
ROCKS
SEISMIC EVENTS
SEISMICITY