The character and extent of seismic deformation in the focal zone of gazli earthquakes of 1976 and 1984,M>7.0

With objective of investigating the peculiarities of seismic process development and seismotectonic deformation character in the focal area of the Gazli earthquakes of 1976 (7.0<M<7.3) and 1984 (M=7.2), a local seismic network was installed. For the field observation period (May to June, 1991) more than 400 events with magnitudes –0.2<M<4.5 were recorded by at least 6 stations.Isometric presentation of earthquake hypocenters distribution allows us to define the depth and dipping planes orientation of seismoactive faults of the region.The focal mechanisms of 35 earthquakes for the period 1979–1988,M>2.8, connected to a gas extraction regime period, and 75 events 1<M<4.3 for the 1991 period (gas storage regime) are used to analyze the dynamics of seismotectonic deformation processes (SDP) in this region. It has been ascertained, that the earth's crust in the Gazli region is subject to complicated deformation processes, particularly below 4 km depth. The predominant kind of deformation is compression. Vertical velocities of deformation show uplift of most of the region during the period of field work. The maximum velocity of vertical deformations for the Gazli structure isV=0.41 mm/year. The comparison of the vertical velocities' displacements due to seismic flow with recent tectonic movements of the earth's crust has revealed their direct relation and high percentage of seismic flow contribution to the tectonic movement. The results obtained testify that the active seismic processes in the Gazli region are connected not as much as the residual stress release in the focal zone of the earthquakes 05. 1976 and 1984,M>7.0 but rather with the influence of the gas reservoir exploitational regime on the rocks with different rheologic properties.     

2010年以来四川地区中强地震震源机制反演及深度确定

2008年5月12日四川龙门山断裂带发生了汶川8.0级地震,之后四川境内发生了两次7.0级地震(其中一个是芦山地震),为了研究汶川地震之后龙门山断裂带及周边区域的地震活动性,本研究收集了国家地震台网和四川区域地震台网2010年1月1日—2017年12月31日四川地区发生的17次M≥5.0地震以及120多次5.0>M≥4.0地震的波形资料,利用波形拟合法反演了震源机制解及区域应力场.反演结果显示,位于龙门山断裂带上的地震,震源机制以逆冲型为主,鲜水河断裂带地震震源机制以走滑型为主,而川滇块体西南部的理塘断裂、金沙江断裂附近,震源机制解以正断层为主.根据震源机制解反演得到的龙门山地区、鲜水河地区的主压应力场方向为WNW、近EW向.川滇块体的巴塘、理塘等地区,其主压应力轴方向为12°左右,接近SN向,且仰角接近40°左右.本研究利用面波振幅谱特征对震源深度进行了精确定位,定位结果与中国地震台网中心(CENC),美国地震调查局(USGS),国际地震中心(ISC)等机构地震目录进行了对比.结果显示,四川地区强震震源深度主要分布在20km以上的中上地壳.龙门山地区震源优势分布在10～20km,鲜水河断裂地震震源深度在10km左右,川滇块体西南部的理塘断裂,巴塘断裂,金沙江断裂等地区,震源深度一般在5～10km范围.     

DETAILED TEMPORAL-SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF INDUCED EARTHQUAKES BY WATER INJECTION IN RONGCHANG,CHONGQING

Based on the seismic data collected from regional permanent stations and 6 temporal stations, we analyzed the seismic activity from October 2008 to July 2011 in Rongchang area. On the basis of HypoDD relocated results, we used Match&Locate method to detect and located the micro-earthquakes. We obtained the focal mechanism solutions of some earthquakes with M_L ≥ 3.5 by using CAP method. Then we analyzed the temporal-spatial distribution of earthquakes and discussed the characteristics of micro-seismicity before the M_L5.1 earthquake occurring on September 10, 2010. We totally detected 3 354 micro-earthquake events, which are nearly 5 times of the earthquakes in the seismic catalog issued by China Earthquake Networks Center. The magnitude of the detected events is mostly from M_L-1 to 1, and the focal depth is from 2 to 4km. The magnitude-frequency analysis shows that the catalog completeness is obviously improved after adding the detected earthquakes, with the lowest magnitude decreasing from M_L1.0 to 0.3. The earthquakes hypocenters are mainly clustered along faults or buried faults and in a dominant depth range consistent with the depth of injection wells, and also show a tendency of lateral extension from injection wells. The focal mechanism solutions of 9 earthquakes of M_L ≥ 3.5 presented reverse faulting, as the same as the preexisting faults, indicating that earthquakes were surely related to reactivation of the faults. The strike, dip and rate of the causative faults separated in wide ranges, which indicates not only obvious changes in structure and strike of preexisting faults but also the effect of increasing pore pressure on the local stress field. Before the M_L5.1 earthquake on September 10 of 2010, seismicity firstly showed clustering in time and covered the most part of the seismogenic fault in space. Then an obvious seismic quiescence occurred and lasted about 3 months. The phenomenon is consistent with the mechanism of creep sliding and resistance-uniformization along the fault zone, suggested on the basis of laboratory experiments, and it may be one of patterns of sub-instability along fault zone. However, such explanation needs to be further confirmed.     

Seismic activities before and after the impoundment of the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoirs in the lower Jinsha River

The lower Jinsha River basin is located at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in Southwest China, a region with intense tectonic movements and frequent moderate to strong seismic activities. Cascade hydropower stations have been constructed along the lower Jinsha River since 2012. However, research on the effect of the impoundment of large-scale cascade reservoirs in a river basin on local seismic activities is currently lacking. Accurately identifying earthquake locations is essential for studying reservoir-induced earthquakes. Analyzing the spatiotemporal migration process of seismic activities based on complete and precise earthquake relocation is fundamental for determining the fluid diffusion coefficient, constructing fault models for reservoir areas, identifying earthquake types, exploring earthquake mechanisms, and evaluating seismic hazards. The seismicity pattern in the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoir areas, where seismic activities had been weak for a long time, has changed with the successive impoundment of the two reservoirs, showing microseismic events and seismic clusters. We investigated the spatiotemporal characteristics of seismic activities in the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoir areas using the waveform cross-correlation-based double-difference relocation technique and the b-value analysis method. We discovered that seismic events after the impoundment of these two reservoirs exhibited different characteristics in different regions. The seismic activities at the Xiluodu dam quickly responded to the rising water level, with the seismic intensity decaying rapidly afterward. These events were concentrated in the limestone strata along both sides of the Jinsha River, with a shallow focal depth, generally within 5 km, and a high b-value of approximately 1.2. Such features are close to those of karst-type earthquakes. Microseismic activities frequent occur on the eastern bank of the Yongshan reservoir section downstream of the Xiluodu dam, with two parallel NW-trending earthquake strips visible after precise earthquake relocation. The M_S5.2 earthquake near Wuji town on August 17, 2014, had prominent foreshocks and aftershocks distributed in a clear NW-trending 20-km-long strip, perpendicular to the riverbank. These seismic events had a low b-value of approximately 0.7. The orientation of the node plane revealed by the strike-slip focal mechanism of the mainshock is consistent with that of the strip formed by the foreshock-mainshock-aftershock sequence, indicating the existence of a NW-striking concealed fault. Seismic activities near the Yanjin-Mabian fault upstream of the Xiangjiaba reservoir area since 2013 were concentrated in a NW-trending strip, with several near EW-trending seismic clusters on its western side, and with the largest event having a magnitude of M_L3.7. So far, the impoundment of the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoirs has not triggered seismic activities on the large Jinyang-Ebian and Yanjin-Mabian faults nearby.     

龙滩水库蓄水后库区中小地震震源机制

本文在对龙滩库区2006年9月30日至2013年5月26日发生的3682次地震进行精定位的基础上,利用FOCMEC方法和改进的格点尝试法反演了ML2.0以上地震震源机制及区域构造应力场,并综合龙滩库区地层岩性、断裂构造和渗透条件等资料,探讨了地震活动类型与库区蓄水过程的关系,获得以下认识:(1)龙滩水库蓄水后的地震活动主要丛集在罗妥、八茂、拉浪、坝首和布柳河5个深水区,地震类型以逆断为主,正断和走滑也占有一定比例.蓄水初期,库区地震类型呈现多样性,蓄水约4年3个月后,地震主要发生在浅部地层中,并大多为逆断型地震.(2)5个地震丛构造应力场最大主应力方向以NW—SE为主,倾角均较小,中等和最小主应力分布较凌乱,在此构造应力环境中,龙滩库区主要断裂整体上呈现走滑运动的性质,局部伴生不同程度的逆倾滑或正倾滑运动分量.(3)库区深、浅部地震活动水平和地震性质之所以会随蓄水过程发生变化,可能与深、浅部构造应力环境、岩体力学性质和渗透性能的差异有关.     

EARTHQUAKE FOCAL MECANISMS IN THE DALIANGSHAN SUB-BLOCK AND ADJACENT AREAS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REGIONAL STRESS FIELD

The Daliangshan sub-block is a boundary region among the Bayan Har block, the Sichuan-Yunnan block and the South China block. It hosts four major fault systems:The southwest to south trending Xianshuihe-Zemuhe Fault zone in the west, the Longmenshan fault zone is the northern boundary, the Zhaotong-Lianfeng fault zone in the south, and the NS-trending Mabian-Yanjin fault zone in the east. This study focused on focal mechanisms and the regional stress field of the Daliangshan sub-block to help understand the earthquake preparation process, tectonic deformation and seismic stress interaction in this area. We collected broadband waveform records from the Sichuan Seismic Network and used multiple 1-D velocity models to determine the focal mechanisms of moderate and large earthquakes(M_L ≥ 3.5)in the Daliangshan sub-block by using the CAP method. Results for 276 earthquakes from Jan 2010 to Aug 2016 show that the earthquakes are dominated by strike-slip and trust faulting, very few events have normal faulting and the mixed type. We then derived the regional distribution of the stress field through a damp linear inversion(DRSSI)using the focal mechanisms obtained in this study. Inversion results for the spatial pattern of the stress field in the block suggest that the entire region is predominantly under strike-slip and trust faulting regimes, largely consistent with the focal mechanisms. The direction of maximum compression axes is NW-NWW, and part of the area is slightly rotated, which is consistent with the GPS velocity field. Combining geodynamic background, this work suggests that because the Sichuan-Yunnan block is moving to SE and the Tibetan plateau to SE-E along major strike-slip faults, the stress field of the Daliangshan sub-block and its adjacent regions is controlled jointly by the Bayan Har block, the Sichuan-Yunnan block and the South China block.     

Determining the focal mechanisms and depths of relatively small earthquakes using a few stations by full‐waveform modelling

Determining the focal mechanism of earthquakes helps us to better define faults and understand the stress regime. This technique can be helpful in the oil and gas industry where it can be applied to microseismic events. The objective of this paper is to find double couple focal mechanisms, excluding scalar seismic moments, and the depths of small earthquakes using data from relatively few local stations. This objective is met by generating three‐component synthetic seismograms to match the observed normalized velocity seismograms. We first calculate Green's functions given an initial estimate of the earthquake's hypocentre, the locations of the seismic recording stations and a 1D velocity model of the region for a series of depths. Then, we calculate the moment tensor for different combinations of strikes, dips and rakes for each depth. These moment tensors are combined with the Green's functions and then convolved with a source time function to produce synthetic seismograms. We use a grid search to find the synthetic seismogram with the largest objective function that best fits all three components of the observed velocity seismogram. These parameters define the focal mechanism solution of an earthquake. We tested the method using three earthquakes in Southern California with moment magnitudes of 5.0, 5.1 and 4.4 using the frequency range 0.1–2.0 Hz. The source mechanisms of the events were determined independently using data from a multitude of stations. Our results obtained, from as few as three stations, generally match those obtained by the Southern California Earthquake Data Center. The main advantage of this method is that we use relatively high‐frequency full‐waveforms, including those from short‐period instruments, which makes it possible to find the focal mechanism and depth of earthquakes using as few as three stations when the velocity structure is known.     

确定辽东半岛潜在震源区的断层活动性研究

本文讨论了在地震活动中等或较弱、而又没有发现古地震遗迹的地区(辽东半岛属于这类地区),如何利用断层活动性资料评价该区的地震危险性和确定潜在震源区的问题,并取得以下结果:1.该区发生的5级以上地震基本与晚更新世有过活动的断层有关;2.研究区活断层据其运动特性划分为以粘滑为主、蠕滑为主和粘滑、蠕滑兼有三类。6级地震发生在粘滑断层段;3.利用晚更新世活断层长度和个别断层的位移量估算了一些断层可能的最大震级     

The Focal Mechanism and Characteristic of Stress Field in the Zipingpu Area before the M_S8.0 Wenchuan Earthquake

Based on seismic wave records of the Chengdu digital seismic network and Zipingpu reservoir digital seismic network from August 16,2004 to May 12,2008 when the Wenchuan MS8.0 earthquake occurred,the parameters of focal mechanisms of 486 earthquakes with magnitude larger than M1.6 in the Zipingpu reservoir area were calculated using amplitude ratio method,meanwhile the temporal-spatial variation characteristics of mechanisms and stress field were analyzed based on these parameters.Results show a low ratio of thrust earthquakes and an increased number of strike-slip earthquakes in the reservoir water area in the period from 2006 to 2008.While in the areas far from the reservoir waterfront,the thrust earthquakes took up a high proportion and the strike-slip ones did not increase.The direction of mean principal compressive stress field was deflected and disturbed differently in each area before the Wenchuan MS8.0 earthquake.     

长江三峡工程周边地区的采矿诱发地震

地震观测和实地调查表明,长江三峡工程周缘广泛存在采矿诱发地震。采矿诱发地震主要是由于矿山采空区的出现使浅部地壳差应力增大岩体失稳而产生的,它们不同于天然地震。水库蓄水前应对这些地震的背景进行详细研究。在进行区域地震震情分析和预报、区域应力场及活动断裂研究时应严格加以区别     

强震前地震活动图象与震源机制类型的相关性分析

在对1966年以来63次强震前中等地震活动图象全时空扫描的基础上,讨论了大陆不同构造区域、不同震源机制强震前中等地震活动图象异常演化特征及其主要活动图象与震源机制节面的相关性. 研究表明:强震前中等地震活动图象显现出应力集中和减弱两个阶段性特征,第一阶段（中期阶段）的活动图象以条带、空区和集中活跃为主;第二阶段（中短期）以持续平静为主. 走滑和正断层机制震前显示出较好的特征图象;逆冲断层震前的活动图象与其它两种机制的图象不同,没有明显的特征图象,两个阶段都有平静现象出现. 强震前中等地震条带走向与震源机制的两个节面走向一致性较好,但空区的一致性较差.      

On correlation between seismic activities and focal mechanisms of subsequent strong earthquakes

Introduction Earthquakes are direct results from tectonic deformation and crustal movements, which usu- ally contain abundant information of crustal stress status and medium property in the deep lithosphere. Seismic activities might reflect accumulation and concentration of crustal stress in the seismogenic process. And different mechanisms of rock ruptures lead to different precursory phe- nomena prior to earthquakes (ZHANG, et al, 2001). Therefore, seismic activities before a strong earthq…     

CHARACTERISTICS OF TECTONIC STRESS FIELD OF THE XIAOWAN RESERVOIR BEFORE AND AFTER THE IMPOUNDMENT

Using the seismic waveform data of Xiaowan seismic network and Yunnan seismic network, we determined the focal mechanisms of 36 earthquakes(M_L ≥ 3.0)from Jun. 2005 to Dec. 2008 and 51 earthquakes(M_L ≥ 2.5)from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2015 by generalized polarity and amplitude technique. We inverted tectonic stress field of the Xiaowan reservoir before impounding, using the focal mechanisms of 36 earthquakes(M_L ≥ 3.0)from Jun. 2005 to Dec. 2008 and CAP solutions of 58 earthquakes(M_L ≥ 4.0)collected and the solutions in the Global Centroid Moment Tensor(GCMT)catalog; We inverted local stress field of the reservoir-triggered earthquake clustering area, using 51 earthquakes(M_L ≥ 2.5)from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2015. Focal mechanisms statistics show that, the Weixi-Qiaohou Fault is the seismic fault. Focal mechanisms were strike-slip type in initial stage, but normal fault type in later stage. Focal depths statistics of 51 earthquakes(M_L ≥ 2.5)show that, the average value of focal depths in period Ⅰ, period Ⅱ and period Ⅲ are 8.2km, 7.3km and 7.8km respectively and the standard deviations are 4.3km, 3.5km and 6.0km respectively. The average value of focal depths is basically stable in different period, only the standard deviation is slightly different. Therefore, there is not positive connection between focal depth and deviation of focal mechanisms. What's more, there are 2 earthquakes(number 46 and number 47 in Fig.5 and Table 3)with almost the same magnitude, epicenter and focal depth, but they have different faulting types as normal and strike-slip. The focal mechanism of event No.46 is strike:302°, dip:40° and rake:-97° for plane Ⅰ, however, the focal mechanism of event No.47 is strike:292°, dip:82° and rake:140° for plane Ⅰ. Likewise, earthquake of number 3 and number 18 have similar characteristic. Therefore, the obvious focal mechanism difference of similar earthquake pair indicates the complexity of Weixi-Qiaohou Fault. Considering the quiet-active character of reservoir-triggered earthquakes, we discussed the change of local stress field in different period. The σ₁ of tectonic stress field was in the near-south direction, with a dip angle of 14° before the impoundment, however, the direction of σ₁ of local stress field changed continuously, with the dip angle getting larger after the impoundment. The direction of σ₁ of local stress field of reservoir-triggered earthquake clustering area is close to the strike of Weixi-Qiaohou Fault, and reservoir impoundment increased the shear stress in the fault, so the weakening of fault was beneficial to trigger earthquakes. Comprehensive analysis suggests that fluid permeation and pore pressure diffusion caused by the water impounding, and the weakening of fault caused by local stress field are the key factors to trigger earthquake in the Xiaowan reservoir.     

新丰江水库诱发地震的构造条件

本文在地质考察的基础上,采用数学模拟方法,重演了本区的地震序列,论证了诱发地震的构造条件。指出,新丰江水库有两组发震构造,它们的活动强度和时间有所不同。诱发地震的发震构造与水库蓄水前构造地震的发震构造属于相同构造体系,唯发震部位更逼近水库。文章还指出,库基弹性变形引起的附加引张应变使部分地区的活动断裂更易于错动。水库荷载还使地震在剖面上有浅层和深层之分。它们的频度与水库水位有不同的相关性     

Seismotectonic deformation during the filling of Toktogul Reservoir,Kirghizia

Natural seismicity and induced seismic events are discussed in the context of the seismotectonic deformation method through the example of earthquakes in the Toktogul Reservoir region in the Central Tien Shan, Kirghizia. The parameters of seismotectonic deformation of various sites in the Toktogul Reservoir region are described, based on a statistical study of focal mechanisms. The relationship of induced seismicity to changes of water level in the reservoir is reviewed. The temporal stress-strain characteristics are investigated. Average focal mechanisms for the entire region, as well as areas in the immediate vicinity of Toktogul Dam are analyzed. The vertical component of seismotectonic deformation varies in time from compression to extension-opposite to what is expected from the influence of the reservoir load; strike-slip motions become oblique thrusts. Changes in the orientation of focal mechanisms coincide with the time of maximum rate of the filling of the reservoir.     

张北地区震前、震时和震后的震源机制

对于张北地震之前出现在小震条带上的地震，我们收集了区域地震台网的P波初动和垂直向记录的直达P、S的最大振幅，由理论地震图反演出15次地震的震源机制；同样的方法反演得到145次余震的震源机制；连同刘瑞丰给出的6．2级主震、哈佛大学提供的5．6级强余震的矩张量解一起分析。发现，震前小震震源机制优势取向的平均解、震后余震震源机制优势取向的平均解和主震以及强余震的矩张量解，基本一致。震前、震时和震后的震源机制的优势取向，没有发生可以觉察的显著变化。表明震区始终受到构造应力场的控制，呈现出一定的稳定性。     

南北地震带震源机制解与构造应力场特征

南北地震带作为中国大陆地应力场一级分区的边界,其构造应力场的研究对理解大陆强震机理、构造变形和地震应力的相互作用具有重要意义.本文收集南北地震带1970—2014年的震源机制解819条,按照全球应力图的分类标准对震源机制解进行分类,发现其空间分布特征与地质构造活动性质比较吻合.P轴水平投影指示了活动块体的运动方向,T轴水平投影在川滇块体及邻近地区空间差异特征最为突出,存在顺时针旋转的趋势.南北地震带的最大水平主应力方向具有明显的分区特征,北段为NE向走滑类型的应力状态,中段为NEE—EW—NWW向的逆冲类型,南段为SE—SSE—NS—NNE向走滑和正断类型,在川滇块体的北部和西边界应力状态为EW—SE—SSE的正断层类型,表明来自印度板块的NNE或NE向的水平挤压应力和青藏高原物质东向滑移沿大型走滑断裂带向SE向平移的复合作用控制了南北地震带的岩石圈应力场.川滇块体西边界正断层类型应力状态范围与高分辨率地震学观测得到的中下地壳低速带范围基本吻合,青藏高原向东扩张的塑性物质流与横向边界(丽江—小金河断裂带)的弱化易于应变能的释放,在局部地区使NS向拉张的正断层向EW向拉张正断层转变.反演得到的应力状态基本上与各种类型地震的破裂方式比较吻合,也进一步验证反演结果的可靠性,可为地球动力学过程的模拟和活动断层滑动性质的厘定提供参考.     

大桥水库MS4.6级诱发地震的初步研究

2002年3月3日大桥水库诱发了Ms4．6级水库地震，其发震构造是安宁河东支断裂近傍具有正断层性质的一个分支断裂。据大桥台网7年多库区地震观测事件记录，地震空间分布上水体附近有一个明显的活跃过程，大坝上游发生小震群，大坝下游发生主震序列。地震的震源深度在蓄水前后有明显变化。4．6级地震的震源机制解的主压应力轴方位和倾角与大多数活动断裂上的地震有明显的差别，主压应力轴的倾角与其它的水库地震相比也存在较大差别。     

P-wave velocity structure beneath reservoirs and surrounding areas in the lower Jinsha River

The lower reaches of the Jinsha River are rich in hydropower resources because of the high mountains, deep valleys, and swift currents in this area. This region also features complex tectonic structures and frequent earthquakes. After the impoundment of the reservoirs, seismic activity increased significantly. Therefore, it is necessary to study the P-wave velocity structure and earthquake locations in the lower reaches of the Jinsha River and surrounds, thus providing seismological support for subsequent earthquake prevention and disaster reduction work in reservoir areas. In this study, we selected the data of 7,670 seismic events recorded by the seismic networks in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Chongqing and the temporary seismic arrays deployed nearby. We then applied the double-difference tomography method to this data, to obtain the P-wave velocity structure and earthquake locations in the lower reaches of the Jinsha River and surrounds. The results showed that the Jinsha River basin has a complex lateral P-wave velocity structure. Seismic events are mainly distributed in the transition zones between high- and low-velocity anomalies, and seismic events are particularly intense in the Xiluodu and Baihetan reservoir areas. Vertical cross-sections through the Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoir areas revealed an apparent high-velocity anomaly at approximately 6 km depth; this high-velocity anomaly plays a role in stress accumulation, with few earthquakes distributed inside the high-velocity body. After the impoundment of the Baihetan reservoir, the number of earthquakes in the reservoir area increased significantly. The seismic events in the reservoir area north of 27° N were related to the enhanced activity of nearby faults after impoundment; the earthquakes in the reservoir area south of 27° N were probably induced by additional loads (or regional stress changes), and the multiple microseismic events may have been caused by rock rupture near the main faults under high pore pressure.     

Triggered earthquakes and deep well activities

Earthquakes can be triggered by any significant perturbation of the hydrologic regime. In areas where potentially active faults are already close to failure, the increased pore pressure resulting from fluid injection, or, alternatively, the massive extraction of fluid or gas, can induce sufficient stress and/or strain changes that, with time, can lead to sudden catastrophic failure in a major earthquake. Injection-induced earthquakes typically result from the reduction in frictional strength along preexisting, nearby faults caused by the increased formation fluid pressure. Earthquakes associated with production appear to respond to more complex mechanisms of subsidence, crustal unloading, and poroelastic changes in response to applied strains induced by the massive withdrawal of subsurface material. As each of these different types of triggered events can occur up to several years after well activities have begun (or even several years after all well activities have stopped), this suggests that the actual triggering process may be a very complex combination of effects, particularly if both fluid extraction and injection have taken place locally. To date, more than thirty cases of earthquakes triggered by well activities can be documented throughout the United States and Canada. Based on these case histories, it is evident that, owing to preexisting stress conditions in the upper crust, certain areas tend to have higher probabilities of exhibiting such induced seismicity.