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Injection‐induced earthquakes near Milan, Kansas, controlled by Karstic Networks

October 19, 2020

Induced earthquakes from waste disposal operations in otherwise tectonically stable regions significantly increases seismic hazard. It remains unclear why injections induce large earthquakes on non‐optimally oriented faults kilometers below the injection horizon, particularly since fluids are not injected under pressure, but rather poured, into the well as observed in the Milan, Kansas area. Here we propose a mechanism for induced earthquakes whereby the karstic lower Arbuckle provides the short‐circuit that establishes a tens of MPa stepwise fluid pressure increase within the basement upon arrival of the hydraulic connection to the free surface and ultimately induce slip on the deeper fault. We investigate this scenario through modeling and mechanical analysis and show that earthquakes near Milan are likely induced by large (and sudden) fluid pressure changes when the karst network links two previously isolated hydrological systems.

Publication Year 2020
Title Injection‐induced earthquakes near Milan, Kansas, controlled by Karstic Networks
DOI 10.1029/2020GL088326
Authors Charlene Joubert, Reza Sohrabi, Justin Rubinstein, Gunnar Jansen, Stephen A Miller
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Geophysical Research Letters
Index ID 70216504
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Earthquake Science Center
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