correlation

New Evidence of the Causative Relationship between Well Injection and Microseismicity in the Geysers Geothermal Field

Basic Information
Author: 
Greensfelder, R.W.
Description: 
A new analysis demonstrates a rough correlation between microseismicity with focal depths ~ 2 km and injection in one well located in the southeastern portion of the Geysers geothermal field (in and near Unit 13), confirming what Stark (1990) has shown for the area to the northwest. The abrupt onset of micro seismicity near well McKinley-5 early in 1980 follows the initiation of injection there by about three months. Until 1986, injection and numbers of earthquakes within 3000 feet of this well appear to be roughly correlated, with injection increases or decreases leading the rise or fall of microearthquake numbers. For the years after 1986, there seems to be no correlation between earthquake frequency and injection; this may be due to the overall decline of injection volumes in the well. A similar analysis was conducted for well Thorne-7, but no correlation is evident. However, after the start-up of injection in 1984, microseismicity near this well did become more continuous from month to month.
Publication Date: 
Friday, January 1, 1993
Resource Language: 
English
Intelectual Originator Contact
Organization Name: 
GeothermEx, Inc.
Street Address: 
3260 Blume Drive,Suite 220
City: 
Richmond
State/Province: 
CA
Postal Code: 
94806
Country: 
United States
Phone: 
510-527-9876
Fax: 
510-527-8164
Resource Information
Access Statement: 
Abstract available online at http://www.geothermex.com/files/Greensfelder_1993-1.pdf For a copy of this paper please e-mail us at mw@geothermex.com
Resource Distribution Contact
Organization Name: 
GeothermEx, Inc.
Street Address: 
3260 Blume Drive,Suite 220
City: 
Richmond
State/Province: 
CA
Postal Code: 
94806
Country: 
United States
Phone: 
510-527-9876
Fax: 
510-527-8164
Geographic Extent
North bounding latitude: 
38.3614
South bounding latitude: 
35.6956
West bounding longitude: 
-122.168
East bounding longitude: 
-117.773
Previous Citation
Bibliographic Citation: 
Roger W. Greensfelder, 1993. New Evidence of the Causative Relationship between Well Injection and Microseismicity in the Geysers Geothermal Field. GeothermEx, Inc., Richmond, California.
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