Detailed microearthquake studies at the Cerro Prieto geothermal field
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA
There appears to be an increase in seismic activity within the Cerro Prieto production zone since early 1978. The microearthquake activity is now more or less constant at a rate of 2 to 3 events per day. The b-values within the field are significantly higher inside the production zone than are those for events on faults outside of the production region. The earthquakes seem to be controlled by the Hidalgo fault, although slight clustering was observed in the center of the main production region. The earthquakes within the production zone may reflect the reservoir dynamics associated with heat and mass withdrawal. Mechanisms such as volume change, thermal stresses and weakening of materials associated with boiling (i.e., phase changes, dissolution) may all be responsible for the increased seismic activity. Although a small reinjection program has started, the pressure drawdown conditions existing within the field would imply that increased pore pressure resulting from the injection activities is not responsible for the increased seismic activity.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 7369377
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-11967; CONF-810399-25; ON: DE82019261
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 3. symposium on the Cerro Prieto geothermal field in Baja California, Mexico, San Francisco, CA, USA, Mar 1981; Related Information: In: Proceedings: third symposium on the Cerro Prieto geothermal field, Baja California, Mexico, by
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Effects of pressure drawdown and recovery on the Cerro Prieto beta reservoir in the CP-III area
Seismicity recorded in the Cerro Prieto geothermal field during 1994-1995
Related Subjects
CERRO PRIETO GEOTHERMAL FIELD
MICROEARTHQUAKES
FLUID WITHDRAWAL
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
REINJECTION
SEISMICITY
EARTHQUAKES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
SEISMIC EVENTS
Geothermal Legacy
150301* - Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology- Geophysical Techniques & Surveys
150600 - Geothermal Energy- Environmental Aspects