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Dynamic Earthquake Triggering Regions in Texas and the Role of Fluid Injection

Large magnitude teleseismic earthquakes (M_w ≥ ~7) can trigger smaller earthquakes by dynamically altering stress conditions at remote locations. Earthquake triggered by these dynamic stress changes can be useful to identify critically stressed faults near failure which could inform seismic hazard assessments. We investigate the greater Texas region and identify the sub-regions with statistically significant occurrences of dynamically triggered local seismicity between 2017 and 2024. Statistical analysis (beta and Z) for triggered seismicity (changes after compared to before teleseismic wave arrival) reveal 18% teleseismic events triggers 97 local events in 9 distinct regions and minimum dynamic stress for triggering is 0.0001 MPa. Among the triggered events the dominance in delayed triggering (83%) and instantaneous Rayleigh wave triggering (14%) indicates a fluid pressure driven nucleation mechanism. The depth, magnitude, distance, azimuthal direction of teleseismic source to Texas couldn’t differentiate between triggering and non-triggering teleseismic events. In addition, the fluid injection volume with injection well location positively correlates with triggered region. However, Peak Dynamic Stress (PDS), which is calculated from waveform’s Peak Ground Velocity (PGV) shows a lack of direct positive correlation with triggering teleseismic event. This study suggests any subsurface activity (fluid injection/production wells, geothermal or hydrofracking activities) in triggered regions needs extra precautions and could nucleate damaging future earthquake.

Session: Action at a Distance: Understanding Seismic Triggering [Poster]

Type: Poster

Room: Exhibit Hall A+B

Date: 4/17/2026

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Alamgir Hosain

Student Presenter: Yes

Invited Presentation: 

Poster Number: 4

Additional Authors