 |
|
Modelling earthquake risk of gas fields
December 03, 2003Using qualitative modelling, the risk of earthquakes due to gas extraction can be determined more clearly. "This is done by using three dimensional modelling software to calculate and simulate the forces and movements around geological faults deep under the ground," says Frans Mulders who, on 3 December, will defend his PhD thesis at TU Delft. "Currently, the KNMI determines the probability of earthquakes primarily through statistical data," says Mulders. "It is important to complement that data with knowledge of the geological structure underground." Mulder conducted his research in cooperation with TNO-NITG, NAM, Shell, KNMI and State Supervision of Mines.
In recent months, three light earthquakes hit the province of Groningen. Geologists agree that the quakes are related to gas extraction. It is possible to use historical statistical data of these kind events to make a prediction for the future. "That is what the KNMI (national research and information centre for climate, climatic change and seismology) is currently doing," says Mulders. "Valuable data, but combining this with knowledge of underground the geological structure is worth recommendation. This is currently being worked on at TNO-NITG in cooperation with KNMI."
Mulders used three dimensional (3D) simulations to research activity deep under the ground. He has integrated so-called Mobilised Shear Capacity (MSC) parameters into his models. This parameter provides a numerical value for the instability of certain layers and the faults they contain. Mulders: "Such a parameter, linked to other data, forms a basis for the calculation of the probability of earthquakes near gas fields." According to Mulder, earthquakes will continue to happen every now and then in Groningen. "As long as gas is extracted, there will be movement in the ground."
The numerical models that Mulders has developed are representative for the underground of the Northern Netherlands, but due to their generic character they are also representative for other oil and gas fields in similar conditions. "Here the weakness of the models also shows," says Mulders, "While you can simulate many situations with the 3D models, you need a lot of data on the geological structure of the area to produce good estimations. This data is often lacking." The combination of statistics, 3D modelling and geological information needs further research.
Delft University of Technology
Earthquake News and Current Earthquake Events RSSMagmatically triggered slow earthquake discovered at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Kilauea experienced a new dike intrusion, where magma rapidly moved from a storage reservoir beneath the summit into the east rift zone and extended the rift zone by as much as 1 meter.
Earthquakes may endanger New York more than thought, says study
A study by a group of prominent seismologists suggests that a pattern of subtle but active faults makes the risk of earthquakes to the New York City area substantially greater than formerly believed.
Severe, acute maternal stress linked to the development of schizophrenia
Pregnant women who endure the psychological stress of being in a war zone are more likely to give birth to a child who develops schizophrenia.
Durham scientist explores Sichuan fault
Durham University expert, Alex Densmore, is to explore the fault lines that caused the May 12th earthquake in China that killed 69,000 people.
Hebrew U. archaeological excavations uncover Roman temple in Zippori (Sepphoris)
Ruins of a Roman temple from the second century CE have recently been unearthed in the Zippori National Park in Israel. Above the temple are foundations of a church from the Byzantine period. The excavations, which were undertaken by the Noam Shudofsky Zippori Expedition led by of Prof. Zeev Weiss of the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, shed light on the multi-cultural society of ancient Zippori.
Region hit hard by 1993 floods showed economic resiliency, study indicates
With the first wave of clean-up efforts behind them, residents of communities affected by this year's Midwest floods may find hope in a University of Illinois study on the economic impact of the 1993 flood that devastated much of the same region.
Chinese earthquake provides lessons for future
The May 12 Sichuan earthquake in China was unexpectedly large. Analysis of the area, however, now shows that topographic characteristics of the highly mountainous area identified the mountain range as active and could have pointed to the earthquake hazard. Topographic analysis can help evaluate other, similar fault areas for seismic risk, according to geologists from Penn State and Arizona State University.
Researchers distinguish waves from mine collapses from other seismic activities
Researchers have devised a technology that can distinguish mine collapses from other seismic activity.
NJIT architect professor advocates best-building practices for high wind regions
More than ever before, building design and construction can be significantly improved to reduce wind pressures on building surfaces and to help better resist high winds and hurricanes in residential or commercial construction, said NJIT architecture professor Rima Taher, PhD.
A world novelty for an improved tsunami early warning
After completing their simulation component in the German-Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System (GITEWS), the team for tsunami modelling of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association has presented the currently leading software system for tsunami events with the potential for catastrophe.
More Earthquake News Articles
 | The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why by Amanda Ripley It lurks in the corner of our imagination, almost beyond our ability to see it: the possibility that a tear in the fabric of life could open up without warning, upending a house, a skyscraper, or a civilization. Today, nine out of ten Americans live in places at significant risk of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, terrorism, or other disasters. Tomorrow, some of us will have to make... |
 | Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner Jennifer Weiner, whose novels Good in Bed and In Her Shoes earned her a place among women's book club aficionados everywhere, proves she still has the touch with Little Earthquakes, a tale of love, heartbreak, redemption, and friendship. Weiner's novel centers around four new mothers, all of whom must learn to adjust their lives and their marriages to deal with the challenges of raising children.... |
 | Dynamics of Structures (3rd Edition) (Prentice-Hall International Series in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics) by Anil K Chopra Designed for senior-level and graduate courses in Dynamics of Structures and Earthquake Engineering. The text includes many topics encompassing the theory of structural dynamics and the application of this theory regarding earthquake analysis, response, and design of structures. No prior knowledge of structural dynamics is assumed and the manner of presentation is sufficiently detailed and... |
 | Earthquake in the Early Morning (Magic Tree House #24) (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) by Mary Pope Osborne The year is 1906, the place is San Francisco. Annie and her brother, Jack, have just traveled here in their magic tree house, on a mission from Morgan le Fay, the mysterious magical librarian from King Arthur's time. In an effort to save Camelot, the children have already found three special kinds of writing for Morgan's library: something to follow (Civil War on Sunday), something to send... |
 | Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel On a warm May night in San Francisco, the Ritz-Carlton ballroom shimmers with crystal and silver as a glittering, celebrity-studded crowd gathers for a charity dinner dance. The evening is perfect–until, just minutes before midnight, the room begins to sway. Glass shatters. And as the lights go out, people begin to scream….In the earthquake’s aftermath, the lives of four... |
 | Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883 (P.S.) by Simon Winchester It may seem a stretch to connect a volcanic eruption with civil and religious unrest in Indonesia today, but Simon Winchester makes a compelling case. Krakatoa tells the frightening tale of the biggest volcanic eruption in history using a blend of gentle geology and narrative history. Krakatoa erupted at a time when technologies like the telegraph were becoming commonplace and Asian trade... |
 | Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: Over 100 Activities You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less by Jean Potter Make bubbles that bounce! Stir up a tornado in a jar! Make elastic from a dandelion! Predict weather from cloud formations! Discover the beauty and wonder of nature all year round with these quick, easy experiments and activities from Jean Potter. You can complete each activity in ten fun-filled minutes or less, and the clear step-by-step instructions and illustrations help you get it right every... |
 | Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (Prentice-Hall International Series in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics) by Steven L. Kramer This is the first book on the market focusing specifically on the topic of geotechnical earthquake engineering. The book draws from the fields of seismology and structural engineering to present a broad, interdiciplinary view of the fundamental concepts in seismology, geotechnical engineering, and structural... |
 | The House of Power (Atherton, Book 1) by Patrick Carman Edgar, a gifted climber, secretly scales the treacherous walls separating the three worlds of Atherton: the humble grove that is his home...a mysterious highland realm of untold beauty and sinister secrets ...and a vast wasteland below, where a monstrous danger lurks that could destroy them all. While searching the forbidden cliffs for a treasure lost in his faded memory, Edgar discovers the... |
 | A Crack in the Edge of the World: America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906 by Simon Winchester Geologically speaking, 1906 was a violent year: powerful, destructive earthquakes shook the ground from Taiwan to South America, while in Italy, Mount Vesuvius erupted. And in San Francisco, a large earthquake occurred just after five in the morning on April 18--and that was just the beginning. The quake caused a conflagration that raged for the next three days, destroying much of the American... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |