The seismic monitoring system around CASTOR

The Ebro Observatory (CSIC-URL) was entrusted with the task of monitoring seismic activity in the vicinity of the geological gas repository CASTOR, as part of the monitoring and control programme of the project itself. To carry out this task, the Observatory designed a network of seismic sensors that were used to implement a continuous monitoring of seismic activity in the area of interest prior to industrial activity. The Observatory network detected a greater frequency of quakes around the CASTOR repository after 5 September 2013, reaching a total of 1,000 earthquakes by 15 October. The analysis of these data has led to the suggestion that it was a case of anticipated seismicity owing to the injection of the gas. In this lecture, the speaker will explain how the seismic network was designed, the seismicity of the area prior to industrial activity, how the Observatory operators experienced the days of seismic crisis and how the work carried out in the Observatory has helped in the analysis of the events.

Cycle: 75th anniversary of CSIC - “Science today for a better tomorrow”

Organized by: Residence for Researchers CSIC-Generalitat of Catalonia