A team of scientists at The University of Texas at Austin has discovered a concerning trend in the seismic activity of the Midland Basin in Texas. Led by Dino Huang, a research assistant professor at the Jackson School of Geosciences, the researchers found that earthquakes are moving northeast towards Big Spring, away from their usual occurrence in the southwest near Odessa and Midland.
The study, based on data collected by the TexNet seismic monitoring network, revealed that the region has experienced an increase in seismicity since 2018. Huang highlighted the potential risks associated with this shift, stating that the fault zone's activation could lead to more earthquakes that may be felt by human populations, particularly those residing near Interstate 20.
The researchers identified a significant fault zone stretching towards the northeast edge of the basin, indicating a possible movement of seismic activity in that direction. The team hypothesized that a 5.2 magnitude earthquake in 2022 near Range Hill introduced additional stress into the fault system, causing seismic activity to propagate along the same path as a rift structure identified through passive seismic analysis.
The findings, published in the journal Seismological Research Letters, outlined 15 distinct earthquake-producing zones within the Midland Basin. By analyzing earthquake frequency and magnitude data from these zones, the researchers were able to assess the potential for future seismic events in the area.
The Midland Basin, a major hub for oil and gas extraction, has seen induced seismicity due to wastewater injection operations. By understanding the stress on the fault system, researchers aim to mitigate the risks associated with induced earthquakes. TexNet data has been instrumental in providing insights into the seismic landscape of the region, helping operators make informed decisions to maintain the productivity of the basin.
The research, funded by the Center for Integrated Seismicity Research at the bureau, involved collaboration with co-authors Alexandros Savvaidis and Yangkang Chen. As seismic activity continues to shift in the Midland Basin, ongoing monitoring and analysis will be crucial to better understand and prepare for potential future earthquakes.