Injection-induced surface deformation and seismicity at the Hellisheidi geothermal field, Iceland

Juncu, Daniel; Árnadóttir, Th.; Geirsson, H.; Guðmundsson, Gunnar B.; Lund, Björn; Gunnarsson, Gunnar; Hooper, Andrew; Hreinsdóttir, Sigrún; Michalczewska, K.

doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2018.03.019

Cited by 46 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…On the other hand, a variation of the fluid-pore pressure can be induced by endogenous factors, e.g. fluid injections from a hydrothermal/magmatic reservoir [76,77]. The observed modality of occurrence of the LAO episodes lead us to hypothesize that they are induced by non-volcanic external sources (rather than endogenous ones) which periodically modulate the stress field and the water content in the shallow crust.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Some Investigations on a Possible Relationship between Ground Deformation and Seismic Activity at Campi Flegrei and Ischia Volcanic Areas (Southern Italy)

et al. 2019

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In the present paper, we analyse ground tilt and seismicity at Campi Flegrei caldera and Ischia Island, two volcanic areas located in the south of Italy. These areas have been well studied for many years from a petrological, volcanological and geophysical view point. Moreover, due to the high seismic and volcanic risk for the populations living there, they are continuously monitored by networks of geophysical and geochemical sensors. We summarize the most important results that we obtained so far, concerning the observations of relationships between seismic activity and ground tilt anomalies, focusing on the time interval 2015–2018. First, we present a detailed description of the tiltmeter and seismic networks in both the investigated areas, as well as their development and improvement over time that has enabled high quality data collection. From the joint analysis of the seismic and borehole tiltmeter signals, we often notice concurrence between tilt pattern variations and the occurrence of seismicity. Moreover, the major tilt anomalies appear to be linked with the rate and energy of volcano-tectonic earthquakes, as well as with exogenous phenomena like solid Earth tides and hydrological cycles. The analysis that we present has potential applicability to other volcanic systems. Our findings show how the joint use tilt and seismic data can contribute to better understanding of the dynamics of volcanoes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Some Investigations on a Possible Relationship between Ground Deformation and Seismic Activity at Campi Flegrei and Ischia Volcanic Areas (Southern Italy)

et al. 2019

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“…Due to these advantages and characteristics, InSAR technology has been successfully applied to the monitoring of volcanic motion [8,9], seismic activity [10,11], landslides [12,13], glacial drift [14,15], regional ground sink [16,17], and anthropogenic activity like tunneling or infrastructure monitoring [18][19][20]. In addition, InSAR technology has also been successfully used to monitor ground deformation over oil and geothermal fields, such as the Helliishdi geothermal field [21], the West Texas oilfield [22], and the Cushing oilfield in East Central Oklahoma [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, monitoring recent surface deformations over the Karamay oilfield area is of great significance for guiding the continued exploitation for oil and gas. Liquid injection may cause local stress changes, which can lead to earthquakes [21,23,27]. Are the low-magnitude earthquakes within and around the oilfield related to oil and gas exploration in this area?…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ground Deformation Revealed by Sentinel-1 MSBAS-InSAR Time-Series over Karamay Oilfield, China

et al. 2019

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Fluid extraction or injection into underground reservoirs may cause ground deformation, manifested as subsidence or uplift. Excessive deformation may threaten the infrastructure of the oilfield and its surroundings and may even induce earthquakes. Therefore, the monitoring of surface deformation caused by oil production activities is important for the safe production of oilfields and safety assessments of surrounding infrastructure. Karamay oilfield is one of the major oil and gas fields in China. In this study, we take the Karamay oilfield in Xinjiang as a case study to detect surface deformation caused by subsurface fluid injection. Sentinel-1A images of 32 ascending (Path 114) and 34 descending (Path 165) tracks spanning March 2017 to August 2018, were used to derive vertical and horizontal deformation over Karamay oilfield using the MSBAS-InSAR method. The observed two-dimensional deformation exhibited significant vertical and east-west deformation in this region. The maximum uplift and horizontal velocity was approximately 160 mm/year and 65 mm/year, respectively. We also modeled one of the typical deformation zones using a dislocation model in a homogenous elastic half-space.

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“…Seismicity was observed in most of the fields where reinjection occurred, with maximum magnitudes between M L 2.0 and 4.0 (Flóvenz et al, 2015). The largest event, of M L 4.0, was observed at the Húsmúli reinjection site in the Hellisheidi field (Juncu et al, 2018).…”

Section: Seismicity In Geothermal Systems: Case History Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of induced seismicity in geothermal systems worldwide and implications for geothermal systems in the Netherlands

Buijze

Bijsterveldt²,

Cremer³

et al. 2019

Netherlands Journal of Geosciences

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Geothermal energy is a viable alternative to gas for the heating of buildings, industrial areas and greenhouses, and can thus play an important role in making the transition to sustainable energy in the Netherlands. Heat is currently produced from the Dutch subsurface through circulation of water between two wells in deep (1.5–3 km) geothermal formations with temperature of up to ∼100 °C. As the number of these so-called doublets is expected to increase significantly over the next decades, and targeted depths and temperatures increase, it is important to assess potential show-stoppers related to geothermal operations. One of these potential hazards is the possibility of the occurrence of felt seismic events, which could potentially damage infrastructure and housing, and affect public support. Such events have been observed in several geothermal systems in other countries. Here we review the occurrence (or the lack) of felt seismic events in geothermal systems worldwide and identify key factors influencing the occurrence and magnitude of these events. Based on this review, we project the findings for seismicity in geothermal systems to typical geothermal formations and future geothermal developments in the Netherlands. The case study review shows that doublets that circulate fluids through relatively shallow, porous, sedimentary aquifers far from the crystalline basement are unlikely to generate felt seismic events. On the other hand, stimulations or circulations in or near competent, fractured, basement rocks and production and reinjection operations in high-temperature geothermal fields are more prone to induce felt events, occasionally with magnitudes of M > 5.0. Many of these operations are situated in tectonically active areas, and stress and temperature changes may be large. The presence of large, optimally oriented and critically stressed faults increases the potential for induced seismicity. The insights from the case study review suggest that the potential for the occurrence of M > 2.0 seismicity for geothermal operations in several of the sandstone target formations in the Netherlands is low, especially if faults can be avoided. The potential for induced seismicity may be moderate for operations in faulted carbonate rocks. Induced seismicity always remains a complex and site-specific process with large unknowns, and can never be excluded entirely. However, assessing the potential for inducing felt seismic events can be improved by considering the relevant (site-specific) geological and operational key factors discussed in this article.

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Injection-induced surface deformation and seismicity at the Hellisheidi geothermal field, Iceland

Cited by 46 publications

References 56 publications

Some Investigations on a Possible Relationship between Ground Deformation and Seismic Activity at Campi Flegrei and Ischia Volcanic Areas (Southern Italy)

Some Investigations on a Possible Relationship between Ground Deformation and Seismic Activity at Campi Flegrei and Ischia Volcanic Areas (Southern Italy)

Ground Deformation Revealed by Sentinel-1 MSBAS-InSAR Time-Series over Karamay Oilfield, China

Review of induced seismicity in geothermal systems worldwide and implications for geothermal systems in the Netherlands

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