Fine Velocity Structure and Relocation of the 2010 gL 5. 1 Earthquake Sequence in the Rongchang Gas

Based on data collected from a temporal seismic network, and in addition to the data from some nearby permanent stations, we investigate the velocity structure and seismicity in the Rongchang gas field, where significant injection-induced seismicity has been identified. First, we use receiver functions from distant earthquakes to invert detailed 1-D velocity structures beneath typical stations. Then, we use the double-difference hypocenter location method to re-locate earthquakes of the 2010 MLS. 1 earthquake sequence that occurred in the region. The re-located hypocenters show that the 2010 MLS. 1 earthquake sequence was distributed in a small area surrounding major injection wells and clustered mostly along pre-existing faults. Major earthquakes show a focal depth less than 5km with a dominant depth of -2km, a depth of major reservoirs and injection wells. We thus conclude that the 2010 ML 5. 1 earthquake sequence might have been induced by the deep well injection of unwanted water at a depth - 3km in the Rongchang gas field.