Water-well induced earthquakes in Bebedouro, SP: evolution of the seismicity and structural causes

• Grant number: 07/04325-0
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: October 01, 2007 - September 30, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geophysics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Sousa de Assumpção
• Grantee: Marcelo Sousa de Assumpção
• Home Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Earthquakes have occurred in Bebedouro, SP, since January 2004, related to the opening of several deep water wells drilled in 2003 to exploit fractured aquifers in basalt layers. The causal relationship between the wells and the earthquakes have been establised based on 1) proximity of the epicenters to the three main wells, 2) decrease in the seismic activity during the dry season when the wells are pumped continuously for irrigation, and 3) migration of th epicenters away from the wells at every yearly swarm, following a hydraulic diffusion pattern. This project will study the evolution of the seismic activity during the next yearly swarms and relate the epicentral area to possible seismogenic structures such as a higher density of fractures in the basalt layer or a thinner (stress concentrating) thickness of the active basalt layer. Several electric, electromagnetic and seimic surveys will be carried out to characterize the petrophysical properties of the seismogenic layers. Costs to be covered are basically field expenses, a seismic refraction analysis software, one PC for database and a TT-4 scholarship. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ÍCARO JOSÉ ASSIS KUME; MAURICIO DE SOUZA BOLOGNA; MARCELO ASSUMPÇÃO. Constraints from magnetotellurics on the geological structure across a seismic area associated with water wells in the Parana basin, Brazil. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY, v. 49, n. 4, p. -, 2019. Web of Science Citations: 0.

DICELIS, GABRIEL; ASSUMPCAO, MARCELO; PRADO, RENATO LUIZ; AGURTO-DETZEL, HANS; BARBOSA, JOSE ROBERTO. Improving the characterization of the seismic source in Bebedouro, Parana Basin, Brazil: further evidence of seismicity triggered by hydraulic stimulation in water wells. Geophysical Journal International, v. 210, n. 2, p. 594-608, AUG 2017. Web of Science Citations: 1.

PORSANI, JORGE LUIS; ALMEIDA, EMERSON RODRIGO; BORTOLOZO, CASSIANO ANTONIO; MONTEIRO DOS SANTOS, FERNANDO ACACIO. TDEM survey in an area of seismicity induced by water wells in Parana sedimentary basin, Northern Sao Paulo State, Brazil. JOURNAL OF APPLIED GEOPHYSICS, v. 82, p. 75-83, JUL 2012. Web of Science Citations: 4.

ASSUMPCAO, MARCELO; YAMABE, TEREZA H.; BARBOSA, JOSE ROBERTO; HAMZA, VALIYA; LOPES, AFONSO E. V.; BALANCIN, LUCAS; BIANCHI, MARCELO B. Seismic activity triggered by water wells in the Parana Basin, Brazil. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH, v. 46, JUL 22 2010. Web of Science Citations: 12.

ASSUMPÇÃO‚ M.; YAMABE‚ T.H.; BARBOSA‚ J.R.; HAMZA‚ V.; LOPES‚ A.E.V.; BALANCIN‚ L.; BIANCHI‚ M.B. Seismic activity triggered by water wells in the Paraná Basin‚ Brazil. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH, v. 46, n. 7, p. W07527, 2010.