Shallow hydraulic fracturing measurements in Korea support tectonic and seismic indicators of regional stress.
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
We have conducted five hydraulic fracturing stress measurement campaigns in Korea, involving 13 test holes ranging in depth from 30 to 250 m, at locations from North Seoul to the southern coast of the peninsula. The measurements reveal consistent crustal stress magnitudes and directions that suggest persistence throughout western and southern Korea. The maximum horizontal stress {sigma}{sub H} is oriented between ENE-WSW and E-W, in accord with plate movement and deformation, and with directions indicated by both focal mechanism solutions from earthquakes inland and offshore as well as borehole breakouts in mainland China close to its eastern coast. With respect to magnitudes, the vertical stress is the overall minimum stress at all tested locations, suggesting a thrust faulting regime within the relatively shallow depths reached by our tests. Typically, such a stress regime becomes one favoring strike-slip at greater depths, as is also indicated by the focal mechanism solutions around Korea.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 1002053
- Report Number(s):
- SAND2003-2634J; TRN: US201102%%574
- Journal Information:
- Proposed for publication in the International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences., Vol. 40, Issue 7-8; ISSN 1365-1609
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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