Modeling induced seismicity

The induced seismicity within a geothermal reservoir can be forward-modeled, based on a semi-stochastic approach, by pressure-induced stress changes and seismicity triggering based on Coulomb friction. The result is a seismicity cloud evolving in space and time. Since triggering of seismic events depends on calculating the transient fluid pressure field, an effective reservoir model able to reasonably reproduce the hydraulic behavior of the reservoir during stimulation is required. With this project we establish a link between the seismological observables and geomechanical and hydraulic properties of the source region. Understanding the geomechanical properties is essential for estimating the probability of exceeding a certain magnitude value in the induced seismicity and hence the associated seismic hazard of the operation. (contacts: Dr. Valentin Gischig and Dr. Bettina Goertz-Allmann)