Recurrent triggered seismicity in Koyna/India region, attributable to the impoundment of the hydroelectric power plant water reservoir in 1962 and subsequent monsoon-rain induced annual water-level variations has continued ever since. The Reservoir-Triggered-Seismicity (RTS) in Koyna includes the worldwide largest triggered earthquake of magnitude M6.3 in 1967, ~20 earthquakes of M>5, ~400 earthquakes of M>3.5 and thousands of smaller earthquakes. The M6.3 event was associated with Donichawadi fissure zone as the surface manifestation of a crustal fault that remains seismically active to date. Activity is confined to a 20 km x 30 km area and 10 km depth within a largely stable regional intraplate setting. Thus, the Koyna area serves as a natural laboratory to study in-situ the physics of RTS at hypocentral depth through scientific drilling and monitor earthquakes in the seismic nearfield.

This project aims to (i) drill to ~6 km into the seismically active source region at the KFD1 site, (ii) perform unprecedented downhole measurements, and (iii) acquire long-term in-fault and near-field seismic monitoring to capture pre-seismic, co-seismic and post-seismic processes as well as physical and chemical properties of the seismically
active formation.

Click here for information on the first phase of the project.

Keywords: Asia, India, Koyna, Deep Observatory, Reservoir-triggered Seismicity, Deep Biosphere