Use of InSAR to identify land-surface displacements caused by aquifer-system compaction in the Paso Robles area, San Luis Obispo County, California, March to August 1997

The objective of the research was to investigate the process of rock mass recompaction related to groundwater rebound induced by underground mining. Research has been conducted in the area of the closed copper ore mine (Konrad) as well as the anhydrite and gypsum mine (Lubich&#243;w) in south-eastern Poland.The mining operation was carried out in the years 1944-2001 in the area of the Konrad mine and 1944-2015 in the area of the Lubich&#243;w mine. It resulted in substantial land subsidence of up to 1.4 m and drainage of the aquifer system. However, it is estimated that the subsidence caused by groundwater pumping during these periods was 0.3 m in total. Furthermore, the spatial extent of the depression cone in the aquifer system immediately after the cessation of exploitation significantly exceeded the limits of the mining areas. Following the closure of the mine, a continuous increase in the groundwater head and land uplift is observed.Classical survey results and the Persistent Scatter Satellite Radar Interferometry (PSInSAR) method were used to determine land surface movements in the period from November 2015 to November 2020. The results of the research show in the area of the Lubich&#243;w mine closed in June 2015, vertical land uplift reached a maximum of approx. 92 mm in that period. At the same time, in the Konrad mine area, closed in March 2001, no significant land uplift was observed. However, the main part of the investigation concerned the development of a novel method of land uplifting prediction. As a result, an attempt was made to comparatively analyze the dynamics of land uplift associated with the life cycle of the mine and the increase in the groundwater head.These analyzes allowed the time factor for the modelling of the land uplift to be determined. This time factor is approx. 5 months in the area of the Lubich&#243;w mine and indicates that there is a time lag between the start of the groundwater head increase and the land uplift occurrence. Also, the investigation revealed that land uplift will occur in the analyzed area for the next five years. However, the dynamics of such movements will gradually decline in the years to come.The methodology developed could be applied to any post-mining area where groundwater rebound-related uplifts are observed. It may be an appropriate tool for estimating both the time during which the land uplift is expected to begin after the mine drainage has been stopped, as well as the total duration of the land uplift phenomena.

Download Full-text

Coseismic displacements of the 14 November 2016 Mw7.8 Kaikoura, New Zealand, earthquake using an optical cubesat constellation

10.5194/nhess-2017-30 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Andreas Kääb ◽

Bas Altena ◽

Joseph Mascaro

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Land Surface ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Sar Interferometry ◽

Optical Methods ◽

Optical Data ◽

Surface Displacements ◽

Before And After ◽

Optical Satellite Images ◽

Sentinel 2

Abstract. Satellite measurements of coseismic displacements are typically based on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry or amplitude tracking, or based on optical data such as from Landsat, Sentinel-2, SPOT, ASTER, very-high resolution satellites, or airphotos. Here, we evaluate a new class of optical satellite images for this purpose – data from cubesats. More specific, we investigate the PlanetScope cubesat constellation for horizontal surface displacements by the 14 November 2016 Mw7.8 Kaikoura, New Zealand, earthquake. Single PlanetScope scenes are 2–4 m resolution visible and near-infrared frame images of approximately 20–30 km × 9–15 km in size, acquired in continuous sequence along an orbit of approximately 375–475 km height. From single scenes or mosaics from before and after the earthquake we observe surface displacements of up to almost 10 m and estimate a matching accuracy from PlanetScope data of up to ±0.2 pixels (~ ±0.6 m). This accuracy, the daily revisit anticipated for the PlanetScope constellation for the entire land surface of Earth, and a number of other features, together offer new possibilities for investigating coseismic and other Earth surface displacements and managing related hazards and disasters, and complement existing SAR and optical methods. For comparison and for a better regional overview we also match the coseismic displacements by the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake using Landsat8 and Sentinel-2 data.

Download Full-text

Hydrogeology and simulation of groundwater flow and land-surface subsidence in the northern part of the Gulf Coast aquifer system, Texas, 1891-2009

Scientific Investigations Report ◽

10.3133/sir20125154 ◽

2012 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mark C. Kasmarek

Keyword(s):

Groundwater Flow ◽

Land Surface ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

Surface Subsidence ◽

Aquifer System ◽

Gulf Coast Aquifer

Download Full-text

Assessment of subsidence risk associated with aquifer storage and recovery in the Coastal Lowlands Aquifer System, Houston, Texas, USA

Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences ◽

10.5194/piahs-382-487-2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 382 ◽

pp. 487-491

Author(s):

Van Kelley ◽

Michael Turco ◽

Neil Deeds ◽

Christina Petersen ◽

Chris Canonico

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Land Surface ◽

Future Research ◽

Aquifer Storage And Recovery ◽

Aquifer System ◽

Aquifer Storage ◽

Alternative Water ◽

Regulatory Plan ◽

Insight Into ◽

Coastal Lowlands

Abstract. In the Houston, Texas region, groundwater use is regulated by the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District (District) because of historical regional subsidence from groundwater development. The District regulates groundwater production in the Coastal Lowlands Aquifer System (CLAS) to mitigate subsidence through the implementation of District Groundwater Regulatory Plan. The District has successfully reduced groundwater pumping as a percent of demand regionally while controlling subsidence through the implementation of alternative water supplies. Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) is an alternative water supply strategy that provides a means to store water underground and increase water supply more cost effectively than traditional storage expansion strategies. Groundwater users in the District are interested in the many potential benefits of ASR as a water supply strategy. Little is known about the potential effects on compaction and land surface subsidence resulting from ASR operations. Recognizing this, the District funded research on the potential subsidence risk associated with ASR. Two hypothetical, though representative, ASR projects were developed and analysed: (1) an industrial ASR project meant to provide water supply during a drought of record (DOR), and (2) a municipal ASR project designed to provide an annual municipal summer peaking water supply. Simulations of groundwater hydraulics and subsidence were performed at three potential locations within the CLAS to provide insight into variability associated with location and aquifer depth. Theoretical simulations confirmed the potential for subsidence associated with the application of ASR in the CLAS, although operating an ASR for summer peaking needs has less potential risk of subsidence than the DOR scenario in the scenarios simulated. The study simulations provide insight into how an ASR project may be designed and operated to minimize compaction and potential subsidence. Based on this study, ASR operated to address summer peaking showed the greatest potential to reduce additional compaction verses sourcing all water from groundwater. This theoretical study provides a basis for future research on subsidence associated with ASR and provides a framework for consideration for the regulation of ASR within the District.

Download Full-text

Modelling multi-fissure zones above buried rock ridges in subsiding basins

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-7931 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Li yueting ◽

Pietro Teatini ◽

Shujun Ye ◽

Andrea Franceschini ◽

Matteo Frigo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Surface ◽

Sedimentary Basins ◽

Interface Elements ◽

Groundwater Exploitation ◽

Aquifer System ◽

Sedimentary Sequences ◽

Earth Fissures ◽

One Year ◽

Stress Accumulation ◽

Maximum Opening

Aseismic earth fissures due to the excessive groundwater exploitation have caused seriously damage in many subsiding sedimentary basins worldwide. Generally, multiple fissures almost parallel to each other with equal distances are prone to develop where a compacting aquifer system overlies impermeable and/or incompressible ridges. Here, an advanced finite-element interface-elements modelling approach is employed to understand this process within unfaulted sedimentary sequences. A simplified geological setting is initially used to investigate the effect of the ridge slope on ruptures behaviors. Then, we reproduce the case of Guangming village, China. In both the proposed scenarios, the model simulates the occurrence of multi-fissures that initiate at land surface and propagate downward, as observed in the sites. The earth fissures are formed as a result of the combination of tensile stress (bending condition) and shear stress (shearing conditions) accumulation around and above the tip and the slopes of the ridge, respectively. The numerical outcomes indicate that the steeper ridge results in higher magnitude stress accumulation above the ridge tip which favors the formation of fissures with significant opening and small or null offset, but at expense of the reduction in stress accumulation area and fissure distribution. In Guangming case, the outcomes show that two ruptures started sliding and only one year later a central fissure opened and propagated down to 15-30 m depth. The simulated maximum opening and sliding of the central and side fissures, respectively, approximate 30 cm, which are almost in agreement with the observations. The numerical results prove that the proposed modeling approach is an effective way to predict and analyze multi-fissure onset and development in subsiding basins.

Download Full-text

Geology and Aquifer Sensitivity of Quaternary Glacial Deposits Overlying a Portion of the Mahomet Buried Bedrock Valley Aquifer System

Hydrology ◽

10.3390/hydrology7040069 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 69

Author(s):

Andrew Watson ◽

Eric W. Peterson ◽

Dave Malone ◽

Lisa Tranel

Keyword(s):

Land Surface ◽

Late Quaternary ◽

Geologic Mapping ◽

Quaternary Deposits ◽

Aquifer System ◽

Geologic Materials ◽

Lithostratigraphic Units ◽

Glacial Outwash ◽

Aquifer Sensitivity ◽

Geologic Data

To characterize the distribution of Holocene and Late Quaternary deposits and to assess the contamination potential of the Mahomet Aquifer, surficial geologic and aquifer sensitivity maps of the Gibson City East 7.5-Minute Quadrangle were created. Geologic data, extent, and thickness of the geologic materials were coupled with LiDAR topographic data and analyzed using ESRI’s ArcGIS 10.6.1. Aquifer sensitivity to contamination was calculated based on the depth to the first aquifer unit, aquifer thickness, and the lithology of the aquifer materials. The surficial geologic mapping identified five lithostratigraphic units: the Cahokia Formation, the Equality Formation, the Henry Formation, and the Yorkville and Batestown Members of the Lemont Formation. The southeast to northwest trending Illiana Morainic System is the most prominent feature in the study area and delineates the maximum extent of the glaciers during the Livingston Phase of glaciation. Postglacial deposits of the Cahokia Formation, alluvium, interfinger, and overlie with glacial outwash of the Henry Formation along channels and drainage ways downslope of the moraine. The areas of least sensitivity are located over the Illiana Morainic System, whereas the greatest potential to contamination occurs where the thickest deposits of the Henry Formation and Cahokia Formation lie at or just below the land surface.

Download Full-text

Estimate of a spatially variable reservoir compressibility by assimilation of ground surface displacement data

Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences ◽

10.5194/piahs-372-351-2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 372 ◽

pp. 351-356 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C. Zoccarato ◽

D. Baù ◽

F. Bottazzi ◽

M. Ferronato ◽

G. Gambolati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Surface ◽

Ground Surface ◽

Surface Displacement ◽

Test Case ◽

Geomechanical Model ◽

Gas Field ◽

Surface Displacements ◽

Model Response ◽

Synthetic Test ◽

Gas Fields

Abstract. Fluid extraction from producing hydrocarbon reservoirs can cause anthropogenic land subsidence. In this work, a 3-D finite-element (FE) geomechanical model is used to predict the land surface displacements above a gas field where displacement observations are available. An ensemble-based data assimilation (DA) algorithm is implemented that incorporates these observations into the response of the FE geomechanical model, thus reducing the uncertainty on the geomechanical parameters of the sedimentary basin embedding the reservoir. The calibration focuses on the uniaxial vertical compressibility cM, which is often the geomechanical parameter to which the model response is most sensitive. The partition of the reservoir into blocks delimited by faults motivates the assumption of a heterogeneous spatial distribution of cM within the reservoir. A preliminary synthetic test case is here used to evaluate the effectiveness of the DA algorithm in reducing the parameter uncertainty associated with a heterogeneous cM distribution. A significant improvement in matching the observed data is obtained with respect to the case in which a homogeneous cM is hypothesized. These preliminary results are quite encouraging and call for the application of the procedure to real gas fields.

Download Full-text