Induced Seismicity
Earthquakes caused or triggered by human activities, including wastewater injection from oil/gas operations, hydraulic fracturing, geothermal energy production, and reservoir filling. Most are small (below magnitude 3) but some have exceeded magnitude 5.
Why It Matters
Oklahoma experienced a dramatic increase in earthquakes due to oil and gas wastewater disposal injection. Managing induced seismicity is also a consideration for enhanced geothermal systems.
Related Topics
Related Terms
Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)
A technique that injects high-pressure fluid into rock formations to create fractures, allowing oil and natural gas to flow to the wellbore. Combined with horizontal drilling, fracking unlocked vast shale oil and gas resources in the U.S.
Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS)
A geothermal power system that creates artificial reservoirs by drilling into hot dry rock and fracturing it, then circulating water through the fractures to extract heat. EGS removes the need for natural underground water and permeability.