Space-time correlations ofb values with stress release

A total of 1503 events for a 2-month period associated with am _N 2.6 rockburst is investigated for possible space-time correlations between low magnitude (–1.1 to –0.4)b values and several estimates of stress (static stress drop, apparent stress, and dynamic stress). Spatial variations of decreasingb values were found to be well correlated with increasing stress release estimates for time intervals prior to the rockburst and following the aftershock sequence. The strongest correlation tob value was with the dynamic stress drop, having correlation coefficients of 0.87 and 0.79 for the two intervals, respectively. The rockburst was found to actually occur at the intersection of the spatial coordinates corresponding to the largest gradient inb value. Based on these correlations, we conclude that the low magnitude seismicity is an indicator of the stress state within the rock mass, and can be used to study and forecast stress patterns in the vicinity of an impending major event. Time variations, however, did not show the same clear correlations and these are discussed in terms of departure from steady state conditions. Regardless, our results favour the use ofb values in a spatial, context rather than in a time analysis approach, and we consider thatb values provide valuable information regarding the changing stress conditions within the seismogenic volume.     

Microseismicity in Local Areas: The Southeastern Part of the Fennoscandian Shield

This paper summarizes the observations of microseismic emissions by these authors in several areas of the Russian part of the Fennoscandian Shield to assess the potential of microseismicity to determine the present-day activity of local features in the upper part of the geologic medium. We give amplitude–frequency characteristics and the space–time distribution of naturally occurring microseismic events that are hypothesized to be of endogenous origin. We discuss the relationships these characteristics have to the regional geodynamic setting, average dimensions, and petrographic composition of active rock blocks.     

Modelling microseismicity of a producing reservoir from coupled fluid‐flow and geomechanical simulation

In this paper, we investigate production induced microseismicity based on modelling material failure from coupled fluid‐flow and geomechanical simulation. The model is a graben style reservoir characterized by two normal faults subdividing a sandstone reservoir into three compartments. The results are analysed in terms of spatial and temporal variations in distribution of material failure. We observe that material failure and hence potentially microseismicity is sensitive to not only fault movement but also fluid movement across faults. For sealing faults, failure is confined to the volume in and around the well compartment, with shear failure localized along the boundaries of the compartment and shear‐enhanced compaction failure widespread throughout the reservoir compartment. For non‐sealing faults, failure is observed within and surrounding all three reservoir compartments as well as a significant distribution located near the surface of the overburden. All shear‐enhanced compaction failures are localized within the reservoir compartments. Fault movement leads to an increase in shear‐enhanced compaction events within the reservoir as well as shear events located within the side‐burden adjacent to the fault. We also evaluate the associated moment tensor mechanisms to estimate the pseudo scalar seismic moment of failure based on the assumption that failure is not aseismic. The shear‐enhanced compaction events display a relatively normal and tight pseudo scalar seismic moment distribution centred about 10⁶ Pa, whereas the shear events have pseudo scalar seismic moments that vary over three orders of magnitude. Overall, the results from the study indicate that it may be possible to identify compartment boundaries based on the results of microseismic monitoring.     

Sequential velocity imaging and microseismic monitoring of mining-induced stress change

Sequential imaging of the temporal changes inP-wave velocity offers a practical tool to monitor a rock mass. Using established correlations between the location of seismic events and velocity structure, the temporal seismic potential characteristics of the rock may be monitored. Furthermore, the temporal velocity differences isolate the time dependent factors effecting velocity such as stress, while cancelling static factors such as lithology. Various sequential imaging techniques were compared with respect to accuracy. Differences between successive velocity images were found to have relatively high associated error estimates. However, images of velocity differences calculated from measured travel time delays between successive velocity surveys were found to have lower error estimates. In particular, travel time delays measured using cross-correlation techniques resulted in the most accurate sequential image. Two 3D sequential imaging studies were carried out at Strathcona Mine in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Results of the average static images indicated an association between the location of induced microseismicity and a zone of both high velocity and high gradient. Additional examples are described from the global seismology literature which also show a similar correlation between seismicity and velocity structure. We attribute this association to an interrelated stress and strength effect. The Strathcona Mine sequential images show zones of significantly decreased velocity in regions of concentrated microseismic activity, which are postulated to be indications of localized destressing and relaxation of the clamping forces resulting in the microseismicity. The zones of decreased velocity corresponded to an increase in the velocity gradient. One of the case studies also shows an increase in velocity in a zone of high static velocity, which is later the site of am _N 2.5 mining-induced seismic tremor. The increase in velocity is believed to correspond to a region of stress concentration, resulting in the subsequent seismic tremor.     

Microseismic Full Waveform Modeling in Anisotropic Media with Moment Tensor Implementation

Seismic anisotropy which is common in shale and fractured rocks will cause travel-time and amplitude discrepancy in different propagation directions. For microseismic monitoring which is often implemented in shale or fractured rocks, seismic anisotropy needs to be carefully accounted for in source location and mechanism determination. We have developed an efficient finite-difference full waveform modeling tool with an arbitrary moment tensor source. The modeling tool is suitable for simulating wave propagation in anisotropic media for microseismic monitoring. As both dislocation and non-double-couple source are often observed in microseismic monitoring, an arbitrary moment tensor source is implemented in our forward modeling tool. The increments of shear stress are equally distributed on the staggered grid to implement an accurate and symmetric moment tensor source. Our modeling tool provides an efficient way to obtain the Green’s function in anisotropic media, which is the key of anisotropic moment tensor inversion and source mechanism characterization in microseismic monitoring. In our research, wavefields in anisotropic media have been carefully simulated and analyzed in both surface array and downhole array. The variation characteristics of travel-time and amplitude of direct P- and S-wave in vertical transverse isotropic media and horizontal transverse isotropic media are distinct, thus providing a feasible way to distinguish and identify the anisotropic type of the subsurface. Analyzing the travel-times and amplitudes of the microseismic data is a feasible way to estimate the orientation and density of the induced cracks in hydraulic fracturing. Our anisotropic modeling tool can be used to generate and analyze microseismic full wavefield with full moment tensor source in anisotropic media, which can help promote the anisotropic interpretation and inversion of field data.     

Results from microseismic monitoring,conventional instrumentation,and tomography surveys in the creation and thinning of a burst-prone sill pillar

Located in northern Québec, the Lac Shortt Mine was a small gold mine consisting of a thin subvertical orebody which was mined in three main phases. High stress and rockbursting conditions were experienced when ore was extracted in the upper zone between the surface and a depth of 500 metres during the first two phases of mining. Severe rockbursts were experienced in late 1989 near the shaft and in the footwall development following a deepening of the mine shaft to a depth of 830 m and partial development of footwall drift access for the third phase of mining (the mining of the lower zone starting at a depth of 830 m moving upward toward a depth of 500 m). A 16-channel Electrolab MP250 microseismic system, with a Queen's University Full-Waveform piggy-back system, was installed underground at the site due to these problems.It was expected that the thinning sill would be subjected to an ever-increasing load as the thickness of the 500 m sill pillar decreased in the face of the mining excavation from below. A monitoring program consisting of the microseismic monitoring system, a range of conventional geomechanics monitoring tools as well as the undertaking of periodic seismic tomography surveys to assess the ongoing state of stress and rock mass condition within the sill was therefore warranted.The anomalously high-magnitude stress field and the brittle rockmass created a situation in which rockmass failure was common and violent. In the creation and thinning of the sill pillar, the location of banded microseismic activity was crucial in tracing rockmass failure and the associated ground control problems. Reliable source-location determination enabled the identification of areas of stress increase. The movement of the rockmass failure front could be followed, and was responsible for stope dilution, footwall and orebody development deterioration, and caving.Source-mechanism analyses gave accurate double-couple solutions for approximately forty percent of these events having at least ten recognizable polarities. Results suggested movement along vertical north-south striking or vertical east-west striking features. Underground observation of damaged access points showed that vertical north-south striking joints were experiencing failure.The microseismic activity, which was consistently concentrated close to the southwest and northeast corners of current production stopes, could be explained by a stress field oriented obliquely to the strike of the orebody, as measured prior to shrinkage of the sill pillar byin situ stress measurements and observed borehole overbreaks. The orientations of theP andT axes for the microseismic activity further confirmed that the stress field oriented obliquely to strike.While an increase in compressional-wave velocity of 2.3 percent, corresponding to a measured stress increase of approximately 10 MPa could be measured by repeated tomographic surveys, it was relatively small and only a factor of two or so above the velocity measured uncertainty. The relative insensitivity of thein situ rock mass modulus to the applied stress is believed to be largely due to the rockmass discontinuities being relatively closed prior to stress increase, as substantiated by the small deformations seen by the extensometer and borehole camera. This situation existed because of the very high pre-mining stress level.The experimental demonstration that the rock could not absorb substantially increased load through the mechanism of discontinuity closure or tightening (which would be reflected in the modulus) may be evidence in itself of potentially burst-prone ground, such as encountered at Lac Shortt.     

A detailed analysis of microseismicity in Samos and Kusadasi (Eastern Aegean Sea) areas

A detailed investigation of microseismicity and fault plane solutions are used to determine the current tectonic activity of the prominent zone of seismicity near Samos Island and Kusadasi Bay. The activation of fault populations in this complex strike-slip and normal faulting system was investigated by using several thousand accurate earthquake locations obtained by applying a double-difference location method and waveform cross-correlation, appropriate for areas with relatively small seismogenic structures. The fault plane solutions, determined by both moment tensor waveform inversions and P-wave first motion polarities, reveal a clear NS trending extension direction, for strike slip, oblique normal and normal faults. The geometry of each segment is quite simple and indicates planar dislocations gently dipping with an average dip of 40–45°, maintaining a constant dip through the entire seismogenic layer, down to 15 km depth.     

基于“剪切+张裂”一般位错模型频率域求解微震震源机制

研究微地震的震源机制,获得压裂区域的破裂方向、尺度和应力状态等信息,在非常规油气开采过程中具有重要意义.对于微震,通常采用剪切位错或者矩张量模型对震源进行描述.本文从其实际发震机制出发,使用了"剪切+张裂"的一般位错点源模型,并基于此模型发展了一种利用全波形信息,通过波形振幅谱相关和初至约束,在频率域求解微震震源机制的方法.该方法适用于地面和井中观测,能够在得到常规震源参数（断层走向、倾角和滑动角）的同时给出裂缝断层剪切和张裂错动的距离信息,更直观体现破裂程度.理论数值测试证明方法有效、可行,在未滤波的情况下,实际数据的波形拟和结果仍较为一致,同时还发现错动距离与应力降等常规破裂参数并不严格相关,说明剪切、张裂错距可作为独立的新参数来定量评估水压致裂效果,指导工程开发进行.     

基于高温高压岩石破裂实验结果对中强地震前震中附近区域部分地震学现象的初步解释

依据高温高压岩石破裂实验结果并结合理论分析，对 附近区域不同深度温压条件下岩石变形破坏性质及破坏失稳的力学行为进行了研究，在一次应力加载循环中，发生破坏的部位随时间具有向深部下迁的趋势。考虑到深度温压条件下岩石的渐进式破坏行为及突发失稳，对主震前震中附近区域小地震活动的增强、平静、活化等现象，以及b值等时间序列参数变化的可能机理进行初步探讨，并简单讨论了两类平静和两类b值变化的可能原因。     

Effective anisotropic velocity model from surface monitoring of microseismic events

We develop a methodology to obtain a consistent velocity model from calibration shots or microseismicity observed on a buried array. Using a layered 1D isotropic model derived from checkshots as an initial velocity model, we invert P‐wave arrival times to obtain effective anisotropic parameters with a vertical axis of symmetry (VTI). The nonlinear inversion uses iteration between linearized inversion for anisotropic parameters and origin times or depths, which is specific to microseismic monitoring. We apply this technique to multiple microseismic events from several treatments within a buried array. The joint inversion of selected events shows a largely reduced RMS error indicating that we can obtain robust estimates of anisotropic parameters, however we do not show improved source locations. For joint inversion of multiple microseismic events we obtained Thomsen anisotropic parameters ε of 0.15 and δ of 0.05, which are consistent with values observed in active seismic surveys. These values allow us to locate microseismic events from multiple hydraulic fracture treatments separated across thousands of metres with a single velocity model. As a result, we invert the effective anisotropy for the buried array region and are able to provide a more consistent microseismicity mapping for past and future hydraulic fracture stimulations.     

A new mathematical model of asymmetric hydraulic fracture growth

Hydraulic fractures generated by fluid injection in rock formations are often mapped by seismic monitoring. In many cases, the microseismicity is asymmetric relative to the injection well, which has been interpreted by stress gradient along the direction of the hydraulic fracture. We present a mathematical model of asymmetric hydrofracture growth based on relations between the solid‐phase stress and the fracture hydraulics. For single fracture and single injection point, the model has three parameters, hydraulic conductivities of the fracture wings, and normalised stress gradient and predicts the positions of the fracture tips as functions of time. The model is applied to a set of microseismic event locations that occurred during and after an injection process. Two different methods are suggested that make it possible to delineate the fracture tips from the set of microseismic events. This makes it possible to determine the model parameters and to check the agreement between the model prediction and the measured data. The comparison of the measured and modelled growth of fracture wings supports both the assumption of the non‐zero stress gradient and the existence of the post‐injection unilateral growth.     

The Density Distributions and the Correlations of an Earthquake's Source Parameters

The data analysis of the source parameters of five sets of earthquake sequences, aftershocks and earthquakes scattered in a region shows that the scalar seismic moment is correlated with the linear size of the fault and the static stress drop. We tentatively imply that a correlation also exists between the radius of the faults and the static stress drops and it is suggested that the static stress drop may be decreasing with increasing radius of the source. It is shown that the density distribution of the source radius, calculated through the source rupture duration obtained from the body wave pulse (Boatwright, 1980) using the time T between the P-wave onset and the first zero crossing on the seismogram, may be represented by a power law as the density distribution of the stress drops and of the moment which are also computed. It is also suggested, and tentatively verified, that the density distribution of the areas of the broken barriers on the faults is similar to that of the density distribution of the static stress drops. It is finally suggested that the seismicity of a region may be studied two-dimensionally as a function of the stress drop and the radius of the source instead of the classic b and b₀ values. Concerning the discussion on the range of the values of the static stress drop, whether it is almost constant in a seismic region and varies only from one region to another, it is seen that in the aftershocks of the 1994 Northridge earthquake it covers a range of almost 5 orders of magnitudes. Finally it is ascertained that the density distribution of the source parameters does not give equipartition of seismic moment release.     

Three Decades of Seismic Activity at Mt. Vesuvius: 1972–2000

We analyse the seismic catalogue of the local earthquakes which occurred at Somma-Vesuvius volcano in the past three decades (1972–2000). The seismicity in this period can be described as composed of a background level, characterised by a low and rather uniform rate of energy release and by sporadic periods of increased seismic activity. Such relatively intense seismicity periods are characterised by energy rates and magnitudes progressively increasing in the critical periods. The analysis of the b value in the whole period evidences a well-defined pattern, with values of b progressively decreasing, from about 1.8 at the beginning of the considered period, to about 1.0 at present. This steady variation indicates an increasing dynamics in the volcanic system. Within this general trend it is possible to identify a substructure in the time sequence of the seismic events, formed by the alternating episodes of quiescence and activity. The analysis of the source moment tensor of the largest earthquakes shows that the processes at the seismic source are generally not consistent with simple double-couples, but that they are compatible with isotropic components, mostly indicating volumetric expansion. These components are shown to be statistically significant for most of the analysed events. Such focal mechanisms can be interpreted as the effect of explosion phenomena, possibly related to volatile exsolution from the crystallising magma. The availability of a reduced amount of high quality data necessary for the inversion of the source moment tensor, the still limited period of systematic observation of Vesuvius micro-earthquakes and, above all, the absence of eruptive events during such interval of time, cannot obviously permit the outlining of any formal premonitory signal. Nevertheless, the analysis reported in this paper indicates a progressively evolving dynamics, characterised by a generally increasing trend in the seismic activity in the volcanic system and by a significant volumetric component of recent major events, thus posing serious concern for a future evolution towards eruptive activity.     

基于微震监测的页岩气开采区b值特征研究

四川盆地南部的长宁页岩气开发区附近地震频发,近年来已发生近10次ML＞4.0的中型地震和万余次ML1.0～3.0的小微地震,灾害风险持续增高.由于国家地震台网的固定台站较为分散,难以捕捉到1级以下微震事件的精确信息,通过近场微震监测数据来分析页岩气开发区的地震风险演化趋势,已经成为势在必行的科学问题.本文基于专门布设的...     

Acoustic emissions associated with the formation of fracture sets in sandstone under polyaxial stress conditions‡

A polyaxial (true‐triaxial) stress‐loading system, developed originally for determining all nine components of P‐ and S‐wave velocities and attenuation and fluid permeability for 50.8 mm‐side cubic rock specimens tested to failure, has been modified to permit the measurement of acoustic emission events associated with the failure process. Results are reported for Crosland Hill sandstone tested to failure under loading conditions leading to the formation of sets of aligned microcracks, achieved by maintaining the minor principal stress at a low value while increasing the two other principal stresses until failure of the rock. An ultrasonic survey associated with the test has been employed to map the transversely‐isotropic velocity structure created by through‐going parallel fractures resulting from the sets of aligned microcracks. This velocity structure has then been employed to locate acoustic emission events recorded during the test by four acoustic emission sensors located in each of the six specimen loading platens. A selection of acoustic emission events associated with one of the fractures has been processed for moment tensor analysis information, in order to determine the source type and orientation of microcracking as the fracture grows. The mechanisms indicate tensile behaviour during initial fracture propagation. Shear failure, however, appears to dominate as the fracture finally approaches the opposite face of the cubic specimen. The work presented here has, in part, led to the development of new rock testing systems and geophysical monitoring and processing technologies that will enable laboratory study of rock behaviour under conditions better resembling those experienced in situ.     

Recent seismicity in Northeast India and its adjoining region

Recent seismicity in the northeast India and its adjoining region exhibits different earthquake mechanisms – predominantly thrust faulting on the eastern boundary, normal faulting in the upper Himalaya, and strike slip in the remaining areas. A homogenized catalogue in moment magnitude, M _W, covering a period from 1906 to 2006 is derived from International Seismological Center (ISC) catalogue, and Global Centroid Moment Tensor (GCMT) database. Owing to significant and stable earthquake recordings as seen from 1964 onwards, the seismicity in the region is analyzed for the period with spatial distribution of magnitude of completeness m _t, b value, a value, and correlation fractal dimension D _C. The estimated value of m _t is found to vary between 4.0 and 4.8. The a value is seen to vary from 4.47 to 8.59 while b value ranges from 0.61 to 1.36. Thrust zones are seen to exhibit predominantly lower b value distribution while strike-slip and normal faulting regimes are associated with moderate to higher b value distribution. D _C is found to vary from 0.70 to 1.66. Although the correlation between spatial distribution of b value and D _C is seen predominantly negative, positive correlations can also be observed in some parts of this territory. A major observation is the strikingly negative correlation with low b value in the eastern boundary thrust region implying a possible case of extending asperity. Incidentally, application of box counting method on fault segments of the study region indicates comparatively higher fractal dimension, D, suggesting an inclination towards a planar geometrical coverage in the 2D spatial extent. Finally, four broad seismic source zones are demarcated based on the estimated spatial seismicity patterns in collaboration with the underlying active fault networks. The present work appraises the seismicity scenario in fulfillment of a basic groundwork for seismic hazard assessment in this earthquake province of the country.     

Thermal coupling may control mechanical stability of geothermal reservoirs during cold water injection

Hydraulic stimulation and geothermal reservoir operation may compromise the rock mechanical stability and trigger microseismic events. The mechanisms leading to this induced seismicity are still not completely understood. It is clear that injection causes an overpressure that reduces the effective stress, bringing the system closer to failure conditions. However, rock instability may not result only from hydraulic effects, but also from thermal effects. In fact, hydro-mechanical (i.e., isothermal) models often fail to reproduce field observations because the injection of cold water into a hot reservoir induces thermal stresses due to rock contraction. Thus, rock instability is likely to result from the superposition of hydraulic and thermal effects. Here, we perform coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical and hydro-mechanical simulations to investigate the effects of cold water injection in a fracture zone-intact rock system. Results show that thermal effects induce a significant perturbation on the stress in the intact rock affected by the temperature drop. This perturbation is likely to trigger induced seismicity in the surroundings of critically oriented fractures near the injection well. Hydro-mechanical simulations show that the behavior depends on the orientation of the faults and on the initial stress tensor. In the direction of the fractures, where the strains are more constrained, total stress increases with increasing pressure; thus, deviatoric stress increases or decreases depending on the initial stress state. The comparison between hydraulic and thermal effects shows that, when the largest confining stress acts perpendicular to the fractures, thermoelastic effects dominate and could trigger induced seismicity.     

Reliability of Seismic Moment Tensor Inversions for Induced Microseismicity at Kidd Mine, Ontario

— A novel seismic moment tensor inversion approach is applied to microseismic events from the Kidd mine with moment magnitudes ranging between ?1.2 and 0. Data consist of 35 events recorded on 8 triaxial accelerometers installed underground. Reliable solutions are obtained for 21 events, of which 14 represent pure shear mechanisms, whereas the remaining 7 exhibit a significant positive volumetric component (72–76%), along with some pure shear failure (15–20%). Further analysis indicates that 6 of the events characterized by high volumetric components are located within a sill pillar on the 4,700 level and have subvertical P and subhorizontal T axes. This is in agreement with the presence of tensile cracks close to openings for incipient pillar bursting. The pure shear events are located outside the sill pillar, between the 4,600 and 4,800 levels, and on the 5,600 level within a highly fractured rockmass. For the latter events, the subvertical nodal planes are found to match closely the orientation of subvertical NW-SE fractures aligned parallel to the major faults in the area.     

Application of Kalman Filtering Techniques for Microseismic Event Detection

—?Microseismic monitoring systems are generally installed in areas of induced seismicity caused by human activity. Induced seismicity results from changes in the state of stress which may occur as a result of excavation within the rock mass in mining (i.e., rockbursts), and changes in hydrostatic pressures and rock temperatures (e.g., during fluid injection or extraction) in oil exploitation, dam construction or fluid disposal. Microseismic monitoring systems determine event locations and important source parameters such as attenuation, seismic moment, source radius, static stress drop, peak particle velocity and seismic energy. An essential part of the operation of a microseismic monitoring system is the reliable detection of microseismic events. In the absence of reliable, automated picking techniques, operators rely upon manual picking. This is time-consuming, costly and, in the presence of background noise, very prone to error. The techniques described in this paper not only permit the reliable identification of events in cluttered signal environments they have also enabled the authors to develop reliable automated event picking procedures. This opens the way to use microseismic monitoring as a cost-effective production/operations procedure. It has been the experience of the authors that in certain noisy environments, the seismic monitoring system may trigger on and subsequently acquire substantial quantities of erroneous data, due to the high energy content of the ambient noise. Digital filtering techniques need to be applied on the microseismic data so that the ambient noise is removed and event detection simplified. The monitoring of seismic acoustic emissions is a continuous, real-time process and it is desirable to implement digital filters which can also be designed in the time domain and in real-time such as the Kalman Filter. This paper presents a real-time Kalman Filter which removes the statistically describable background noise from the recorded seismic traces.     

Scaling relations for seismic events induced by mining

The values of seismic moment andS-wave corner frequency from 1575 seismic events induced in South African, Canadian, Polish, and German underground mines were collected to study their scaling relations. The values ofP-wave corner frequency from 649 events were also available. Seismic moments of these events range from 5*10³ to 2*10¹⁵ N·m (moment magnitude is from –3.6 to 4.1), theS-wave corner frequency ranges from 0.7 to 4438 Hz, and theP-wave corner frequency is between 5 and 4010 Hz. The slope of a regression line between the logarithm ofS- andP-wave corner frequencies is equal to one, and the corner frequencies ofP waves are higher than those ofS waves on the average by about 25 percent. In studies of large and moderate earthquakes it has been found that stress drop is approximately independent of the seismic moment, which means that seismic moment is inversely proportional to the third power of corner frequency. Such a behavior was confirmed for most of the data considered here. A breakdown in the similarity betwen large and small events seems to occur for the events with moment magnitude below –2.5. The average values of seismic moment referred to the same range of corner frequency, however, are vastly different in various mining areas.