1. Koyna, India: A very prominent site of artificial water reservoir-triggered seismicity.
- Author
-
Gupta, Harsh K
- Subjects
EARTHQUAKE magnitude ,GOLD mining ,COAL mining ,EARTHQUAKES ,LAKES ,GEOTHERMAL resources - Abstract
Anthropogenic activities such as gold and coal mining, oil and gas production, filling of artificial water reservoirs, harnessing of geothermal energy, etc., have induced/triggered earthquakes. Koyna dam, located in the Deccan volcanic province of India, was impounded in 1962, and soon after tremors were reported from the vicinity of Koyna dam. The largest triggered earthquake of magnitude (M) 6.3 occurred on 10 December 1967. The triggered earthquakes have continued until now and the region has experienced 22 events of an M~5, over 200 events of an M~4 and several thousand smaller events. The reservoir-triggered seismicity has continued until 2021, which is unique. Some of the early investigations, leading to drilling of a 3 km deep pilot borehole at Koyna for near-field studies of earthquakes, and a few recent results are summarised in this paper. Research highlights: Koyna, located near the west coast of India, in the Deccan volcanic province is one of the most prominent sites of artificial water reservoir-triggered seismicity (RTS). Triggered earthquakes started soon after the impoundment of Shivaji Sagar lake created by Koyna dam in 1962 and have continued until now. Unlike other RTS sites where triggered earthquakes did not continue for long, Koyna is still active, and it is estimated that RTS may continue for another one to two decades. Detailed field work and analyses of earthquake data demonstrated that Koyna is a very suitable site for near-field studies of earthquakes: an observation that is much needed to validate earthquake genesis models. International Continental Drilling Programme sponsored workshops and participation of experts from all over the world helped in deciding to dig a 3 km deep pilot borehole. The borehole was completed in June 2017. Recent research studies further demonstrated that the Koyna region is under critical stress. Studies under progress would help in designing the proposed ~7 km deep borehole laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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