Spatiotemporal Clustering of Seismicity in the Kiskatinaw Seismic Monitoring and Mitigation Area

Induced seismicity has become a concern for industry and nearby residents. Fluid-induced earthquakes are side effect of industrial operations such as hydraulic fracturing, where high-pressure fluids pumped into the Earth’s crust to increase hydrocarbon flow well from petroleum-bearing rock formations. Previous studies on fluid-induced showed existence spatiotemporal clustering aftershock activity. Here, we study seismic catalogs Kiskatinaw Seismic Monitoring Mitigation Area (KSMMA), British Columbia, Canada investigate determine activity due secondary triggering mechanisms static dynamic stress changes arising preceding events. Our analysis is based modern tools statistical seismology Bi-test analysis. We find significant across KSMMA but with large spatial variations, which might be indicative pre-existing stresses fault systems. In particular, characterized by rapidly decaying distributions aftershocks beyond mainshock rupture area strong dominance small frequent triggers, consistent that observed fracturing saltwater disposal elsewhere.