| Abstract |
The extraction of natural resources such as oil and (shale-)gas is associated with increased seismicity, faulting and subsidence. The basic geophysical processes happening in the proximity of faults, the role of fluid extraction and the statistical signature and significance of seismicity are extraordinarily important issues urgently calling for a deeper understanding. Despite the immense variety and complexity of the phenomena involved, a statistical physics approach appears to be able to rationalize the data. In the present proposal we develop a parallel between seismic faulting and plastic events in soft-glassy materials below yield stress. We will employ a novel approach to study the dynamics of earthquakes based on an innovative continuum model displaying slip-stick dynamics. We will first compare our model against existing statistical models of earthquake frequency by changing model parameters and mimicking gas extraction. Second, we will establish a robust link between seismic surface measurements and micro-scale faulting events. |
