Portable broadband seismographs for continuous microseismic monitoring and aftershock studies

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This proposal requests funds to purchase 5 digital seismograph units and a fully rugged field laptop computer. In combination with equipment that has recently been purchased using my startup funds, the requested equipment will provide the components necessary for 5 complete, highly portable broadband seismograph stations. This equipment will be used for innovative seismological research in western Canada, including: 1) ultra-low frequency continuous microseismic monitoring of subsurface fluid injection; 2) characterization of seismicity clusters in the Rocky Mountain foothills; and 3) aftershock studies following significant future earthquakes. The first application is linked to microseismic monitoring of hydraulic-fracture stimulation of "tight" (impermeable) reservoirs in western Canada, a technique used by the oil-and-gas industry and that has seen exponential growth in the past few years. It will also be applied for studies of CO2 injection for geological sequestration, for which high-frequency microseismic events observed in hydraulic fracture treatments are uncommon; ultra-low frequency observations could thus represent a potentially game-changing monitoring technology for planned large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. The second research component will investigate the nature of seismic activity that may be triggered by extraction of hydrocarbons from deep reservoirs, which has application to risk analysis for CCS. The third research component will provide valuable information about rupture characteristics of earthquakes, with application to hazard analysis. These proposed research studies are urgent and cannot be undertaken without the proposed equipment. In addition, experiential learning outcomes enabled by this equipment is critical for HQP training.