As coal mining depths are extended in regions where tectonic activity is present, there is an increasing likelihood of fault-slip type mining-induced seismic events becoming the predominant source of regional seismicity. The increasing number of fault-slip type mining-induced seismic events provides a well-documented database for the study of characteristic seismic sequences. However, research into the fault-slip type mining-induced seismicity remains comparatively under-researched. The present study employs a comprehensive dataset comprising over 9,400 seismic events, which has been optimised through hierarchical cluster analysis. The study goes on to identify the similarities between fault slip-type mining-induced seismicity and tectonic earthquake, based on the source mechanism characteristics and the spatio-temporal evolution patterns. The nature of fault-slip type mining-induced seismicity is the fault reactivation due to the redistribution and concentration of stress induced by mining. Statistical seismology and numerical simulation techniques have been employed to confirm that dynamic sliding, shear damage, and energy release under high normal stress conditions are the basic features of the fault-slip type mining-induced seismic mechanism. Cluster analysis reveals that mining-induced seismic events exhibit higher background seismic rates, faster temporal progeny decay, and smaller parent–child spatial distances compared to natural earthquakes and injection-induced seismicity. The present study discusses the reliability of the triggering mechanism of fault-slip type mining-induced seismicity governed by stress transfer associated with earthquake interactions. The present study provides a framework to facilitate a more profound comprehension of the variability exhibited by natural and various types of artificially induced seismic sequences.Highlights<UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> The mechanism of fault-slip type mining-induced seismicity is the fault reactivation due to the redistribution and concentration of stress induced by mining. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> The cluster scaling laws exhibited by mining-induced seismicity are considerably divergent from those observed in natural earthquake and injection-induced seismicity. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Triggering mechanisms of fault-slip type mining-induced seismicity are governed by stress transfer associated with earthquake interactions. </ItemContent> </UnorderedList>

Fault-Slip Type Mining-Induced Seismicity: Insights from Cluster and Earthquake Interactions

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年10月28日

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Chongwei Yan,
Yu-Yong Jiao,
Junpeng Zou

摘要

As coal mining depths are extended in regions where tectonic activity is present, there is an increasing likelihood of fault-slip type mining-induced seismic events becoming the predominant source of regional seismicity. The increasing number of fault-slip type mining-induced seismic events provides a well-documented database for the study of characteristic seismic sequences. However, research into the fault-slip type mining-induced seismicity remains comparatively under-researched. The present study employs a comprehensive dataset comprising over 9,400 seismic events, which has been optimised through hierarchical cluster analysis. The study goes on to identify the similarities between fault slip-type mining-induced seismicity and tectonic earthquake, based on the source mechanism characteristics and the spatio-temporal evolution patterns. The nature of fault-slip type mining-induced seismicity is the fault reactivation due to the redistribution and concentration of stress induced by mining. Statistical seismology and numerical simulation techniques have been employed to confirm that dynamic sliding, shear damage, and energy release under high normal stress conditions are the basic features of the fault-slip type mining-induced seismic mechanism. Cluster analysis reveals that mining-induced seismic events exhibit higher background seismic rates, faster temporal progeny decay, and smaller parent–child spatial distances compared to natural earthquakes and injection-induced seismicity. The present study discusses the reliability of the triggering mechanism of fault-slip type mining-induced seismicity governed by stress transfer associated with earthquake interactions. The present study provides a framework to facilitate a more profound comprehension of the variability exhibited by natural and various types of artificially induced seismic sequences.

Highlights

The mechanism of fault-slip type mining-induced seismicity is the fault reactivation due to the redistribution and concentration of stress induced by mining.

The cluster scaling laws exhibited by mining-induced seismicity are considerably divergent from those observed in natural earthquake and injection-induced seismicity.

Triggering mechanisms of fault-slip type mining-induced seismicity are governed by stress transfer associated with earthquake interactions.