Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Data Processing Methods for 3D Seismic Imaging of Subsurface Volcanoes: Applications to the Tarim Flood Basalt
Published on: August 7, 2017
INDUCED SEISMICITY. Seismicity triggered by fluid injection-induced aseismic slip
Yves Guglielmi1, Frédéric Cappa2, Jean-Philippe Avouac3
1Centre de Recherche et d'Enseignement de Géosciences de l'Environnement (UMR7330), University of Aix-Marseille, CNRS, IRD, 13545 Aix-en-Provence, France. guglielmi@cerege.fr.
Abstract:
Anthropogenic fluid injections are known to induce earthquakes. The mechanisms involved are poorly understood, and our ability to assess the seismic hazard associated with geothermal energy or unconventional hydrocarbon production remains limited. We directly measure fault slip and seismicity induced by fluid injection into a natural fault. We observe highly dilatant and slow [~4 micrometers per second (μm/s)] aseismic slip associated with a 20-fold increase of permeability, which transitions to faster slip (~10 μm/s) associated with reduced dilatancy and micro-earthquakes. Most aseismic slip occurs within the fluid-pressurized zone and obeys a rate-strengthening friction law μ = 0.67 + 0.045ln(v/v₀) with v₀ = 0.1 μm/s. Fluid injection primarily triggers aseismic slip in this experiment, with micro-earthquakes being an indirect effect mediated by aseismic creep.
Related Concept Videos
Fluid Pressure
According to Pascal's law, a fluid at rest will generate equal pressure in all directions. This pressure is measured as a force per unit area, and its magnitude depends on the fluid's specific...
Accelerating Fluids
The motion of the liquid within this infinitesimal cylinder is considered to obtain the pressure difference. Three vertical forces act on this liquid:
Elastic Strain Energy for Shearing Stresses
Pressure Variation in a Fluid at Rest
When measuring pressure at two different levels within the fluid, the difference in...

