Stress maps in a minute: The 2004 world stress map release

Abstract

The World Stress Map (WSM) project has, since 1986, been compiling a free and public global database of contemporary crustal stress information.The WSM is now a key resource, for scientists and engineers in both academia and industry, that is used for understanding geodynamic processes, seismic hazard assessment, the stability of tunnels, improving hydrocarbon production, safe subsurface disposal of waste and greenhouse gases, and geothermal power production [Fuchs and Müller, 2001]. The WSM 2004 release, issued on 27 May 2004, contains over 13,800 data sets of contemporary crustal stress information, all of which can be downloaded free of charge from the project Web site: http://www. world‐stress‐map. org. The WSM Web site also includes stress maps, software, stress interpretation guidelines, and the fast online database interface “Create a Stress Map Online” (CASMO). CASMO allows WSM users to create high graphic quality stress maps to their own specifications that are delivered to the user via email within a minute.