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Our Mission

The mission of the Stanford Center for Induced and Triggered Seismicity is to conduct fundamental research on the physical processes responsible for induced and triggered seismicity, to carry out intensive case studies and to develop a scientifically-based framework for seismic risk assessment and risk management.

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The Stanford Center for Induced Seismicity is an industrial affiliates program on the topic of induced and triggered earthquakes, co-directed by Professors Bill Ellsworth, Greg Beroza (Geophysics), and Associate Professor Jack Baker (Civil and Environmental Engineering).

The Stanford Center for Induced and Triggered Seismicity takes advantage of the unique expertise at Stanford to address the variety of scientific and operational issues associated with managing the risk posed by induced and triggered earthquakes. As recognized by the report of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, incidents of induced and triggered earthquakes associated with energy industries have become increasingly common in the past few years. Much of the recent concern involves activities related to fluid injection and hydraulic fracturing but there continues to be concern about geothermal energy development, injection of carbon dioxide, wastewater disposal, fluid extraction and mining activities, and reservoir impoundment.

In this context, we have established an industrial affiliates program to help companies and other stakeholders develop:

  • a better understanding of the science of induced and triggered earthquakes associated with different types of activities
  • a context-specific consensus risk management framework
  • consensus risk management tool kits

The public needs assurance that energy and mining related activities do not pose an undue risk of injury or property damage, that risk is being effectively managed by the industry and monitored by regulatory authorities and that information about potential risks of proposed activities are accurately being represented.

Upcoming Events

Research Activities

The types of industrial processes studied include induced and triggered seismicity associated with:

  • wastewater injection
  • hydraulic fracturing stimulation
  • production and depletion
  • induced earthquake hazards and risk
  • geothermal energy production
  • carbon capture and storage (CSS)