Since 2017, TexNet, the State of Texas’ earthquake monitoring network, and its partner organization, the Center for Integrated Seismicity Research (CISR), have worked diligently to monitor, catalog, and analyze Texas earthquakes and to research earthquake occurrences, trends, and causes, improving our understanding of these events. Recently, TexNet and CISR held a virtual joint Annual Review of activities, research results, and future plans. Over 120 state agency representatives, university partners, and industry scientists participated and heard vital reports about the latest findings concerning the state’s seismic activity.
Although some once-active areas of the state have recently seen a reduction in earthquakes, TexNet-CISR are focused on researching ongoing low-level seismic activity in key areas, including the Midland and Delaware Basins of West Texas and the Eagle Ford play of South Texas. Overarching research questions include understanding earthquake activity, understanding causal factors, understanding impacts, and enabling mitigation.
Annual Review presentations covered a wide range of topics, from poroelastic models for fault reactivation, to integrating seismologic analysis with geological characterizations, to the hydrodynamics of deep saltwater disposal. New capabilities and improved techniques were also discussed.
The Texas State Legislature created and continues to support TexNet and its continuing operation as one of the premier state seismological networks in the U.S. The Center for Integrated Seismicity Research leads teams of expert scientists from the Bureau of Economic Geology and institutions across the state in tackling crucial research challenges as they relate to Texas earthquake activity. For more information about how your organization can participate in these efforts, contact Dr. Peter Hennings, Principal Investigator of CISR.
