Abstract
The northern part of the Netherlands earthquakes are generated by compaction of the reservoir rock on relatively short distance to the surface of the earth, caused by extraction of gas for energy consumption. These so-called induced earthquakes differ from the well-known tectonic earthquakes all over the world. The fact that we have less experience with induced earthquakes than with tectonic ones was the reason to start research and standardization. The impact study learns that possibly up to 300.000 buildings and infrastructural works need to be strengthened, depending on the level of reliability of the structure that will be the regulated. The social commotion in the region is high. There are no regulations for the moment. After recent earthquakes it is now estimated that magnitude in the future will reach 5 on the scale of Richter with peak ground accelerations of 0,4g. So regulations will be needed. The research program and development of regulations will take a period of at least 3 years. This paper gives the state of affairs of September 2015. Because of societal the topic has a very high ranking on the Dutch political agenda as a result of the serious damage on buildings since the latest earthquakes. In this paper we pay attention to interim rules and first conservative guidelines.
Highlights
This paper is the result of desk research, field research, international deliberations and political discussions about earthquakes caused by gas extraction in the Northern part of the Netherlands
In 1992 a quake happened near Roermond with a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale, which damaged buildings and cars hit by falling debris, but this was not seen as a cause for the introduction of regulations for earthquake resistant structures and the seismic assessment of existing stock
The Netherlands stands for a huge challenge technically, politically and administratively as a result of gas extraction in the north-eastern part of the country
Summary
This paper is the result of desk research, field research, international deliberations and political discussions about earthquakes caused by gas extraction in the Northern part of the Netherlands. This awareness process originated in the earthquakes that happened currently with certain regularity in the province of Groningen (see Figure 1) These shocks are related to reservoir rock compaction followed by subsidence, caused by gas extraction and have a different cause and other characteristics than most of the quakes occurring abroad. By these phenomena the need is felt in the Netherlands to develop regulation for structures in earthquake zones, as well as to evaluate the structural safety of the existing buildings and infrastructure works. The social commotion in this part of the Netherlands is high which has induced a high pressure to develop policies and measures to accommodate the victims and prevent (further) damage
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