Geodetic Measurements and Numerical Models of Deformation at Coso Geothermal Field, California, USA, 2004-2016

We measure transient deformation at Coso geothermal field using interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data acquired between 2004 and 2016 and relative positions estimated from global positioning system (GPS) to quantify relationships between deformation and pumping. We parameterize the reservoir as a cuboidal sink and solve for best-fitting reservoir dimensions and locations before and after 2010 in accordance with sustainability efforts implemented in late 2009 at the site. Time-series analysis is performed on volume changes estimated from pairs of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and daily GPS data. We identify decreasing pore-fluid pressure as the dominant mechanism driving the subsidence observed at Coso geothermal field. We also find a significant positive correlation between deformation and production rate.

[1]  C. W. Chen,et al.  Network approaches to two-dimensional phase unwrapping: intractability and two new algorithms. , 2000, Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics, image science, and vision.

[2]  P. Segall,et al.  Volume strain within The Geysers geothermal field , 1999 .

[3]  Elena C. Reinisch,et al.  Characterizing volumetric strain at Brady Hot Springs, Nevada, USA using geodetic data, numerical models and prior information , 2017, Geophysical Journal International.

[4]  Paul Segall,et al.  Subsidence at The Geysers Geothermal Field, N. California from a comparison of GPS and leveling surveys , 1997 .

[5]  David A. Seal,et al.  The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission , 2007 .

[6]  Julian J. Bommer,et al.  Induced seismicity associated with Enhanced Geothermal Systems , 2007 .

[7]  G. Blewitt,et al.  Harnessing the GPS Data Explosion for Interdisciplinary Science , 2018, Eos.

[8]  Yajing Liu,et al.  Poroelastic stress triggering of the December 2013 Crooked Lake, Alberta, induced seismicity sequence , 2016 .

[9]  R. O. Lindseth.  Synthetic sonic logs; a process for stratigraphic interpretation , 1979 .

[10]  W. Ellsworth.  Injection-Induced Earthquakes , 2013, Science.

[11]  Remko Scharroo,et al.  Generic Mapping Tools: Improved Version Released , 2013 .

[12]  Ian G. Cumming,et al.  ENVISAT ASAR data reduction: impact on SAR interferometry , 1998, IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote. Sens..

[13]  Jonny Rutqvist,et al.  The Northwest Geysers EGS Demonstration Project, California: Pre-stimulation Modeling and Interpretation of the Stimulation , 2013, Mathematical Geosciences.

[14]  Maurizio Ripepe,et al.  Faults strengthening and seismicity induced by geothermal exploitation on a spreading volcano, Mt. Amiata, Italia , 2015 .

[15]  K. Richards-Dinger,et al.  The Coso geothermal field: A nascent metamorphic core complex , 2005 .

[16]  Mark Simons,et al.  Deformation and seismicity in the Coso geothermal area, Inyo County, California: Observations and modeling using satellite radar interferometry , 2000 .

[17]  Paul Wessel,et al.  Open radar interferometry software for mapping surface Deformation , 2011 .

[18]  E. Brodsky,et al.  Anthropogenic Seismicity Rates and Operational Parameters at the Salton Sea Geothermal Field , 2013, Science.

[19]  M. Bonafede,et al.  Near-lithostatic pore pressure at seismogenic depths: a thermoporoelastic model , 2006 .

[20]  Paul Segall,et al.  Stress and subsidence resulting from subsurface fluid withdrawal in the epicentral region of the 1983 Coalinga earthquake , 1985 .

[21]  Geothermal production and reduced seismicity: Correlation and proposed mechanism , 2018 .

[22]  Clifford H. Thurber,et al.  A method for modelling radar interferograms without phase unwrapping: application to the M 5 Fawnskin, California earthquake of 1992 December 4 , 2009 .

[23]  Y. Okada.  Surface deformation due to shear and tensile faults in a half-space , 1985 .

[24]  Elena C. Reinisch,et al.  Graph theory for analyzing pair-wise data: application to geophysical model parameters estimated from interferometric synthetic aperture radar data at Okmok volcano, Alaska , 2016, Journal of Geodesy.

[25]  S. Hickman,et al.  Subsidence rates at the southern Salton Sea consistent with reservoir depletion , 2016 .

[26]  R. Fournier,et al.  Interpretation of chemical analyses of waters collected from two geothermal wells at Coso, California , 1980 .