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Speculation on the causes of continuing seismicity near Koyna reservoir, India

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Abstract

The cause for continuous induced seismicity at Koyna is not well understood. A heuristic model based on various physical parameters observed at Koyna is being proposed to explain the ongoing seismicity. This model contains two essential elements: (i) Intersecting faults near Koyna provide means of stress build-up in response to plate tectonic forces. (ii) The annual reservoir loading cycle and changes in the ground water table perturb this stress build-up by an influx of pore pressure in a fluid infiltrated medium. Hence, the spatial and temporal pattern of the pore prussure distribution and the seismicity will be governed by the location and hydromechanical properties of the faults and fractures. The predictions of the model can be tested by comparing the temporal and spatial pattern of seismicity with the changes in lake level and water table.

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Talwani, P. Speculation on the causes of continuing seismicity near Koyna reservoir, India. PAGEOPH 145, 167–174 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00879492

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00879492

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