Current Position: Research Geophysicist and Deputy Chief of the USGS Induced Seismicity Project
Focus Areas:
My current research is focused on the following aspects of induced earthquakes
- Observation and Physical Interpretation of Induced Earthquakes
- Computing Earthquake Hazard for Induced Earthquakes
- Ground Motion in Induced Earthquakes
My earlier research covered many topics including
- Earthquake Recurrence and Prediction
- Earthquake Location Methods
- Repeating Earthquakes
- Time Dependent Earth Properties
- Tectonic Tremor
- Nonlinear Site Response
Research:
My current work is examining earthquakes that are potentially related to human activities, with a specific focus on earthquakes and their relationship to wastewater disposal activities associated with oil and gas production.
I am currently analyzing the recent increase in seismicity seen in southern Kansas. This an area of active oil and gas development known as the Mississippi Lime play. The USGS Induced Seismicity Project, with the Geological Hazards Science Center, has deployed a network of 14 seismometers in the area to monitor seismicity. We are actively collaborating with scientists and regulators at the Kansas Geological Survey, the Kansas Corporation Commission, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Oklahoma Geological Survey to understand these earthquakes.
I am also involved in a larger effort to compute the earthquake hazard related to induced and potentially induced earthquakes. Computing the hazard from induced earthquakes is a new challenge for earthquake scientists because they behave differently than natural earthquakes. To compute the hazard from these earthquakes requires methods that can handle rapid changes in earthquake rates and seismically active regions. We have developed preliminary methods that address these new complexities, which estimate the hazard over shorter time periods and use very recent earthquake data to predict future earthquake behavior. It is probable that having additional industrial information that shows the changing operational parameters and expansion and contraction of oil and gas fields would help us more accurately describe the hazard from induced seismicity. For more information on computing the hazard from induced earthquakes see: Computing Hazard From Induced Earthquakesand a preliminary report by Petersen et al. (2014).
I have recently investigated the large increase seismicity in the Raton Basin (CO and NM) experienced since 2001. This earthquake sequence has included an M5.0 and M5.3. My work shows that these earthquakes are induced by wastewater disposal related the production of coal-bed methane in the area. For more information seeRubinstein et al (2014) and Barnhart et al. (2014).
Science and Products
Observational Studies of Induced Earthquakes
Myths and Misconceptions About Induced Earthquakes
Do you know the facts about induced earthquakes?
Hazard Estimation for Induced Earthquakes
Numerical Models of the Physics Underpinning Induced Earthquakes
Understanding Fluid Injection Induced Seismicity
Science and Products
- Science
Observational Studies of Induced Earthquakes
In response to sudden changes in seismicity that are potentially induced by human activity, the USGS may deploy temporary seismic stations to better understand the earthquakes. These deployments typically consist of 2-15 seismometers placed in the immediate vicinity of the seismicity.Myths and Misconceptions About Induced Earthquakes
Do you know the facts about induced earthquakes?
Hazard Estimation for Induced Earthquakes
In 2016, 2017, and 2018, the USGS released induced earthquake hazard models. These models forecast the expected strength and frequency of potential ground shaking from future induced and natural earthquakes for a one-year period, based primarily on earthquake data from the previous year. Areas of high induced earthquake hazard were identified in Oklahoma-southern Kansas, the Raton Basin (CO/NM...Numerical Models of the Physics Underpinning Induced Earthquakes
The USGS uses computer simulations to evaluate the physical relationships between fluid injection (or extraction) and earthquakes. We can only indirectly study these relationships using observations, so computer simulations help us gain a better physical understanding for the processes that are most likely causing these earthquakes. Scientists can also use such simulations to understand complex...Understanding Fluid Injection Induced Seismicity
Fluid injection induced seismicity has been reported since the 1960s. There are currently more than 150,000 injection wells associated with oil and gas production in 34 states in the conterminous US. Pore pressure disturbance caused by injection is generally considered the culprit for injection induced seismicity, but, not all injection causes seismicity. It is not well understood what mechanical - Publications
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