Position Description: In this project, we will investigate the impact of anthropogenic activities related to energy production on seismic hazards in the Los Angeles basin. The Los Angeles basin is located on an active tectonic setting that coexists with extensive oil and gas production from several prolific fields spread throughout the basin. It is well known that oil and gas production, and associated water injection activities, are capable of generating earthquakes. Here, we would like to investigate the extent that these activities in the basin have impacted, throughout the last century, the rate of observed seismicity.

We will tackle this problem using a data centered approach. The student will be given two datasets: 1) An earthquake catalog containing precise time and location of earthquake occurrence in the LA basin for nearly 100 years and 2) Detailed production and injection information for several thousands of well corresponding to different oil fields spread throughout the basin. Ultimately, the goal of this project is to find whether changes in the first database (seismicity rate) are, to an extent, correlated with changes in the second database (oil production).

This project is suitable for those interested in learning more about earthquake hazards and society. Students will be required to code, preferably in Python, routines to load and analyze the datasets mentioned above. Students will also be guided on the use of machine learning models to tackle this problem.

The following papers provide additional references for this project:

1) Hager, B. H. et al., 2021, A process based approach to understanding and managing triggered seismicity: Nature, 595, 684–689.

2) Hauksson, E., T. Gobel, J.-P. Ampuero, and E. Cochran, 2015, A century of oil-field operations and earthquakes in the greater Los Angeles Basin, southern California: The Leading Edge, 34, no. 6, 650–656.

3) Hough, S. E., and M. Page, 2016, Potentially induced earthquakes during the early 20th century in the Los Angeles Basin: Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 106, no. 6, 2419–2435

Duration: Three weeks (January 3 - 21, 2022)

Work Hours: Total of 20 hours over three weeks

Pay Rate: $300 stipend at completion of program

Number of Positions Available: 1

Qualifications/Requirements:

• No prior knowledge of the topic is necessary

• High school mathematics

• Computer-related skills

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

Project host requests that the student participate in research group meetings and present the progress of their work.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) welcomes everyone and aims for a diverse and inclusive community. Preferences will be given to freshman and sophomore 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.