%A Thomas H. W. Goebel
%A Emily E. Brodsky
%J Science
%T The spatial footprint of injection wells in a global compilation of induced earthquake sequences
%X Fluid injection can cause extensive earthquake activity, sometimes at unexpectedly large distances. Appropriately mitigating associated seismic hazards requires a better understanding of the zone of influence of injection. We analyze spatial seismicity decay in a global dataset of 18 induced cases with clear association between isolated wells and earthquakes. We distinguish two populations. The first is characterized by near-well seismicity density plateaus and abrupt decay, dominated by square-root space-time migration and pressure diffusion. Injection at these sites occurs within the crystalline basement. The second population exhibits larger spatial footprints and magnitudes, as well as a power law–like, steady spatial decay over more than 10 kilometers, potentially caused by poroelastic effects. Far-reaching spatial effects during injection may increase event magnitudes and seismic hazard beyond expectations based on purely pressure-driven seismicity.
%N 6405
%P 899-904
%V 361
%D 2018
%I American Association for the Advancement of Science
%R doi:10.1126/science.aat5449
%L epos2273