Abstract
Induced seismicity is one of the negative phenomena caused by anthropogenic activities that include mining of minerals. This phenomenon manifests itself as sudden and unpredictable shocks of rock mass, which can cause surface deformation and damage to ground infrastructure. Until the advent of satellite radar interferometry that enables analysis of historical events, the characteristics of these unexpected surface deformations were difficult to assess. The main aim of the research was the spatial analysis of the geometry of surface displacements caused by eight induced tremors in the Rudna copper mine (SW Poland) and the dependence of deformation characteristics (vertical displacements, extent) on the induced shock energy. For this purpose, Sentinel-1 satellite imagery, the differential radar satellite interferometry (DInSAR) method and geographic information systems (GIS) based spatial statistics were used. Vertical displacements were mapped on the basis of 37 calculated interferograms. Spatial statistics on the pixel-to-pixel level were performed in the GIS Map Algebra environment. In the result, descriptive and spatial statistics characterizing deformations caused by individual shocks were calculated. The average values of vertical displacements ranged from −44 to −119 mm. Strong, statistical correlation between the extent, maximum vertical displacement, and energy values was determined. In addition, geometries of the formed deformation areas were analyzed and presented graphically. The results obtained in this research constitute development of a knowledge base on surface displacements caused by induced tremors in underground copper mining.
Highlights
Induced seismicity is a phenomenon that is directly or indirectly caused by industrial operations, such as mining of minerals, production of geothermal energy, underground storage of liquids and gases, extraction of conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons, construction of dams, and retention reservoirs
The results obtained in this research constitute development of a knowledge base on surface displacements caused by induced tremors in underground copper mining
The terrain deformations resulting from the induced shocks, which occurred in the period from
Summary
Induced seismicity is a phenomenon that is directly or indirectly caused by industrial operations, such as mining of minerals, production of geothermal energy, underground storage of liquids and gases, extraction of conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons, construction of dams, and retention reservoirs. These technological processes change the stress distribution of the Earth’s crust and may cause seismic shocks. Engineering works violate the natural state of equilibrium in the rock mass, which releases potential energy from the rocks Part of this energy changes into seismic energy, which propagates from the focus of shock as elastic waves [1]. We deal with terrain deformations that are the consequence of underground mining of minerals
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