Open AccessPore pressure studies initiated in area of reservoir‐induced earthquakes in India
Author(s) -
Gupta H. K.,
Radhakrishna I.,
Chadh R. K.,
Kümpel H.J.,
Grecks G.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/00eo00096
Subject(s) - induced seismicity , geology , pore water pressure , seismology , deccan traps , geotechnical engineering , tectonics , volcanism
An IndoGerman research program is investigating possible in situ pore pressure fluctuations associated with earthquakes at Koyna‐Warna in the State of Maharashtra, India. Koyna‐Warna, which lies roughly halfway between Mumbai and Goa, is ideal for such a study as induced earthquakes have occurred in the region since the impounding of the Koyna Dam Reservoir in 1962. Wells have never before been drilled in a region of intense localized seismicity to study the role of pore pressure in inducing earthquakes. Beginning in 1995, 21 bore wells, 90–250 m deep, were drilled in the Deccan trap basalts of the region near the seismically active area (Figure 1), and continuously operating well level sensors were installed.Well level monitoring is expected to improve our understanding of the role pore fluids play in inducing earthquakes. Reservoir‐induced seismicity (RIS) describes a phenomenon in which initiation or enhancement of seismicity is linked to the impoundment of a reservoir in a region where ambient stresses are close to rock failure.