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Fluid-induced aseismic fault slip outpaces pore-fluid migration.
Pathikrit Bhattacharya1,2, Robert C Viesca1
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA. path_geoalum@alumni.princeton.edu robert.viesca@tufts.edu.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 4, 2019
Summary
Fluid injection can trigger earthquakes by causing aseismic slip, which spreads stress changes faster than pore pressure diffusion. This study confirms aseismic slip propagates beyond pressurized zones, impacting earthquake swarm dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Seismology
- Fluid dynamics
Background:
- Earthquake swarms are often linked to subsurface fluid injection.
- Traditionally, this is attributed to increased pore-fluid pressures destabilizing faults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of aseismic slip in earthquake swarms triggered by fluid injection.
- To test the hypothesis that aseismic slip can transmit stress changes beyond fluid-pressurized regions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from fluid-injection experiments.
- Measurement of slow, aseismic slip on shallow faults.
- Application of a coupled shear-rupture model to constrain fault hydromechanical parameters.
Main Results:
- Experimental data supported the hypothesis that aseismic slip can activate faults.
- Fault strength was found to be dependent on slip-weakening friction and effective normal stress.
- The aseismic rupture front propagated faster and over greater distances than pore-fluid diffusion.
Conclusions:
- Aseismic slip is a significant mechanism in earthquake swarm generation due to fluid injection.
- Stress changes can propagate beyond directly pressurized areas via aseismic slip.
- This mechanism has implications for understanding and predicting earthquake behavior in fluid-injection scenarios.
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