Position Description:

In this project we seek a student interested in investigating the correlation between earthquake activity and oil and gas production, as well as wastewater injection, in the Los Angeles basin. Student will be asked to perform research through literature papers, and other relevant sources, seeking to collect, compile, and organize data related to oil and gas production and earthquake activity in the Los Angeles basin. Typical data consist of oil and gas production information along with seismicity occurrence throughout the history of the oil and gas operations in the basin. Using this data, the student will then perform temporal and spatial correlation analysis between oil and gas production and earthquake activity.

This project will introduce students to the fields of structural geology and seismology related to the emergent topic of induced seismicity related to energy operation. The project will provide exposure to database and software tools that are used to characterize faults and earthquakes.

Duration: 3 weeks (January 4 - 22, 2021)

Work Hours: 6-7 hours/week (for a total of 20 hours)

Pay Rate: $15/hour

Numbe of Positions Available: 2

Qualifications/Requirements:

• no prior experience in the field is necessary

• interest in learning geoscience databases and earthquake catalogs

• computer

• internet access

• complete a survey at the end of the project

All necessary software, data, and instructions will be provided.

Opportunities to Explore the EPS Department:

Students will participate in weekly meetings with graduate students and research staff, and be invited to participate in meetings of the structural geology research group to explore the range of topics that it studies. Group members will provide brief tutorials on geology and seismology, and be available to discuss EPS courses, future research options, and career paths.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) welcomes everyone and aims for a diverse and inclusive community. Preferences will be given to rising sophomores and first year students, but we encourage all interested students to apply. Students who are already working with members of the EPS community and non-Harvard students are not eligible for this position.

The application has closed on December 15th, 2020.

Students Hired: Benjamin Fisher (first year), Alexander Glynn (first year)