Application of a Probabilistic Moment Tensor Inversion to Data Recorded above the Northgerman Gas Fields

The center mechanism of seismic events is one of the most important parameters to distinguish between natural and induced earthquakes and contributes to the understanding of the cause of seismic events. Information about source mechanisms is important for hazard and risk studies of shallow earthquakes (e.g. induced earthquakes).
A novel, probabilistic full waveform moment tensor inversion will be adapted and implemented for the application in shallow micro earthquakes near gas fields in Northern Germany. The method allows to investigate uncertainties about the source mechanism due to lack of knowledge of velocity models and errors at locations. The approach also opens up the possibility of simulating ground movements for earthquake scenarios, as is increasingly demanded by regulatory authorities for hazard and risk studies.

The probabilistic moment tensor inversion ("grond", developed by Heimann et al. at GFZ Potsdam) is applied to seismometer data collected in North German gas fields to extract mechanisms of the earthquake source. The code is prepared for application by external working groups (within industry or other research institutions).

The research report was published.