A new approach to reducing the risk of large-scale man-induced earthquakes based on the results of microseismic monitoring

Besedina A.N., Kocharyan G.G.
Sadovsky Institute of Geospheres Dynamics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №S1 / 2023 р. 28-34

Abstract: The proposed approach is based on the assumption, known from laboratory experiments, that the current frictional properties of the sliding surface are reflected both in the source parameters of the individual induced microseismic events and in the characteristics of seismoacoustic noise, the sources of which are localized in the fault zone. The technique is based on an estimate of the scaled seismic energy, which makes it possible to judge the probability of the realization of the elastic energy accumulated in the rock mass in the form of dynamic events. The article estimates the source parameters of seismic events induced by blasting using the example of data recorded at the Korobkovskoe iron ore deposit of the Kursk magnetic anomaly. On the basis of the results obtained, it is shown that a swarm of induced micro-earthquakes with a low rupture propagation velocity was registered at the KMA-ruda mine. The prospects of using machine learning methods to determine the time and magnitude of an impending dynamic event in real time based on the data of laboratory experiments with AE are shown. The results obtained can be used for short-term forecasting of large dynamic events in conditions of an operating mine. The analysis carried out showed that creation of new methods for monitoring stressed rock masses during mining operations seems to be a promising solution to prevent initiation of large earthquakes associated with dynamic displacement along the tectonic faults.

Keywords: mining, rock bursts, man-induced earthquakes, seismic monitoring, seismic energy, scalar seismic moment, rockburst hazard, machine learning

Acknowledgments: This research was financially supported by the Russian Science Foundation project No.22-17-00204 (Kocharyan G.G.) and State Assignment No.122032900172-5 (Besedina A.N.).

For citation: Besedina A.N., Kocharyan G.G. A new approach to reducing the risk of large-scale man-induced earthquakes based on the results of microseismic monitoring. Russian Mining Industry. 2023;(1 Suppl.):28–34. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2023-S1-28-34

Article info

Received: 27.01.2023

Revised: 20.02.2023

Accepted: 21.02.2023

Information about the authors

Alina N. Besedina – Cand. Sci. (Phys. and Math.), Senior Researcher, Sadovsky Institute of Geospheres Dynamics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation

Gevorg G. Kocharyan – Dr. Sci. (Phys. and Math.), Professor, Deputy Director for Science, Sadovsky Institute of Geospheres Dynamics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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