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WITHDRAWN Exploring Seismo-acoustic Sources From an Underground Fully Decoupled Chemical Explosion

Description: 

WITHDRAWN Underground subsurface explosions create cavities surrounded by damaged host rock, generating significant heat and byproduct gases. The intense heat melts the surrounding rock, forming a pool of molten material, while gases may exist freely, become entrapped, or dissolve within the melt. This environment gives rise to distinct circulation cells in both the liquid and gas phases, which interact through degassing and diffusion processes. Over time, these interactions reach equilibrium as temperature and pressure decrease within the damaged zone.

At elevated temperatures and pressures, gases vent from the cavity into the fractured zone and eventually seep into the undamaged formation. Thermal exposure causes thermomechanical dilation and subsequent relaxation of explosion-induced cracks, regulating gas venting and long-term seepage.

We have developed a 3D HPC computational model using an AMR finite element method to solve the transient equations governing mass, momentum, heat, and chemical species transport. Various numerical coupling schemes and stability conditions are presented, along with a sensitivity analysis of outer cavity boundary conditions and their impact on heat loss, cooling, and convective mixing between the air gap and molten rock. Additionally, we present synthetic four- and three-dimensional seismo-acoustic wave signatures based on the evolving physico-chemical processes in the chamber, examining the interplay of relevant frequencies, material uncertainties, and the significance of key physical parameters.

Session: Data-Driven and Computational Characterization of Non-Earthquake Seismoacoustic Sources - I

Type: Oral

Date: 4/16/2026

Presentation Time: 08:30 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Souheil M. Ezzedine

Student Presenter: No

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