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[1] We have inverted polarity and amplitude information of representative microearthquakes to investigate source mechanisms of seismicity induced by hydraulic fracturing in the Carthage Cotton Valley, east Texas, gas field. With vertical arrays of four and eight three-component geophones in two monitoring wells, respectively, we were able to reliably determine source mechanisms of the strongest events with the best signal-to-noise ratio. Our analysis indicates predominantly non-double-couple source mechanisms with positive volumetric component consistent with opening cracks oriented close to expected hydraulic fracture orientation. Our observations suggest the induced events are directly the result of opening cracks by fluid injection, in contrast to many previous studies where the seismicity is interpreted to be primarily shearing caused by pore pressure diffusion into the surrounding rock or associated with shear stresses created at the hydraulic fracture tip.

We report on results of a passive seismic experiment undertaken to study the 3-D velocity structure and anisotropy of the upper mantle around the contact zone of the Saxothuringicum and Moldanubicum in the western margin of the Bohemian Massif in central Europe. Spatial variations of P-wave velocities and lateral variations of the particle motion of split shear waves over the region monitor changes of structure and anisotropy within the deep lithosphere and the asthenosphere. A joint interpretation of P-residual spheres and shear-wave splitting results in an anisotropic model of the lithosphere with high velocities plunging divergently from the contact of both tectonic units. Lateral variations of the mean residuals are related to a southward thickening of the lithosphere beneath the Moldanubicum.

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