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Studying Fluid-induced Earthquakes in the Bedretto Lab

Description: 

The Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergies, located beneath the Swiss Alps, offers a unique environment for advancing geoscientific research and energy-related innovations. Situated at a depth of approximately 1.5 km, BedrettoLab provides a controlled setting for investigating deep subsurface processes, particularly those related to geothermal energy, fault mechanics, and fluid-induced seismicity. The laboratory’s infrastructure supports a range of experimental studies, including in-situ monitoring of fluid-rock interactions, reservoir stimulation, fault re-activation and stress testing of geological formations. By integrating advanced sensing technologies, continuous monitoring systems, and a multidisciplinary modelling approach, BedrettoLab enables high-resolution observation and analysis of phenomena critical to the safe and efficient use of geo-energies and data-driven, real-time risk mitigation strategies.

This presentation will briefly highlight the laboratory’s unique capabilities and then focus on recent findings from ongoing experiments that were executed in the framework of the ERC project FEAR during 2024. During three dedicated experiments, we observed combined more than 100´000 events with magnitudes ranging from -5 to -0.3 with numerous multi-disciplinary sensors. Combining seismicity observations, stress, strain, pore pressure and geochemical measurements, and structural information will allow us to test different hypotheses related to natural and induced earthquakes.

Session: Mechanistic Insights into Fluid-induced Earthquakes from the Laboratory to the Field - II

Type: Oral

Date: 4/15/2025

Presentation Time: 04:30 PM (local time)

Presenting Author: Stefan

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: Yes

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Authors