Mechanism of induced seismicity at the Geysers geothermal reservoir, California

Allis, R G

doi:10.1029/GL009i006p00629

Title: Mechanism of induced seismicity at the Geysers geothermal reservoir, California

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Abstract

The Geysers reservoir is situated in a 60--80 km-wide right-lateral shear zone associated with the North American-Pacific plate boundary. A small fraction of the shear may be occurring as permanent aseismic creep, which is being converted to stick-slip movement in the Geysers reservoir due to steam production. Two mechanisms could be responsible for the induced seismicity: a large (>100 bars) increase in effective rock pressure; and an increase in the coefficient of friction. The first mechanism requires that the initial state of the reservoir be predominantly liquid-dominated. The second mechanism is a consequence of dehydration of the reservoir causing both the 'hardening' of clay and fault gouge, and the precipitation of silica.

Authors:: Allis, R G

Publication Date:: 1982-06-01

Research Org.:: Geophysics Div., D.S.I.R., Private Bag, Taupo, New Zealand

OSTI Identifier:: 6700985

Resource Type:: Journal Article

Journal Name:: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Volume: 9:6

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 58 GEOSCIENCES; 15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; GEYSERS GEOTHERMAL FIELD; SEISMICITY; CREEP; FRICTION; PLATE TECTONICS; RESERVOIR ROCK; SLIP; STRESSES; GEOTHERMAL FIELDS; MECHANICAL PROPERTIES; TECTONICS; 580201* - Geophysics- Seismology & Tectonics- (1980-1989); 150201 - Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems- USA- (-1989)

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                    Allis, R G. Mechanism of induced seismicity at the Geysers geothermal reservoir, California.  United States: N. p., 1982. 
        Web.  doi:10.1029/GL009i006p00629.

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                    Allis, R G. Mechanism of induced seismicity at the Geysers geothermal reservoir, California.  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1029/GL009i006p00629

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                    Allis, R G. 1982.  
        "Mechanism of induced seismicity at the Geysers geothermal reservoir, California".  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1029/GL009i006p00629.

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@article{osti_6700985,

  title        = {Mechanism of induced seismicity at the Geysers geothermal reservoir, California},

  author       = {Allis, R G},

  abstractNote = {The Geysers reservoir is situated in a 60--80 km-wide right-lateral shear zone associated with the North American-Pacific plate boundary. A small fraction of the shear may be occurring as permanent aseismic creep, which is being converted to stick-slip movement in the Geysers reservoir due to steam production. Two mechanisms could be responsible for the induced seismicity: a large (>100 bars) increase in effective rock pressure; and an increase in the coefficient of friction. The first mechanism requires that the initial state of the reservoir be predominantly liquid-dominated. The second mechanism is a consequence of dehydration of the reservoir causing both the 'hardening' of clay and fault gouge, and the precipitation of silica.},

  doi          = {10.1029/GL009i006p00629},

  url          = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6700985},
  journal      = {Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)},
number       = ,

  volume       = 9:6,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {1982},

  month        = {6}

}

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