Induced earthquakes

Induced earthquakes are earthquakes triggered by human activity. In Switzerland, man-made quakes occur are mainly in connection with related to geothermal energy projects. However, earthquakes can also be triggered by other underground activities. For example when injecting CO2 or wastewater into the subsurface in the context of conventional or unconventional extraction of crude oil or gas through fracking or in mining or tunnel construction. Furthermore, man-made alterations to the earth’s surface can also trigger earthquakes, for example when filling or draining reservoirs with water.