5.5 Earthquake Associated with S. Korean Geothermal Plant

In summary, the United States has found ways to tolerate larger earthquakes caused by wastewater injection, suggesting that the development of enhanced geothermal power should not be derailed by the recent Pohang event. This event, while causing damage and injuries, will also provide valuable information for the study of earthquake formation. The unexpected seismic activity in Pohang, South Korea, has raised questions about the safety of the $38 million geothermal plant and prompted further study and analysis.
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BillTre
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Science magazine news article here.
 
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Earth sciences news on Phys.org
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Oops, that is awkward...
This shouldn’t derail the broader development of enhanced geothermal, Wiemer adds. After all, the United States has found ways to tolerate many larger quakes tied to wastewater injection. And the Pohang event, whatever its cause, will likely be a boon for the study of earthquake formation, Ellsworth adds. Very rarely is the source of a quake so directly imaged. “We have a lot to learn from careful analysis and study of this event.”
 
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berkeman said:
Oops, that is awkward...
Big Oooops. What could happen?
Perched on South Korea’s southeast coast and far from grinding tectonic plates, Pohang is an unlikely spot for a big earthquake. Before the geothermal plant’s two wells were drilled, there had never been an earthquake there of any significance, says Kwanghee Kim, a seismologist at Pusan National University in Busan, South Korea, and lead author of one study. But while Kim was monitoring the aftermath of an unrelated earthquake in 2016, he began to detect rumbles from Pohang. That prompted his lab to deploy eight temporary seismic sensors at the site, which were finally in place on 10 November 2017. He expected any quakes to be small—after all, the largest previous quake tied to enhanced geothermal power, in Basel, Switzerland, was just 3.4 in magnitude.

It took only 5 days to be proved wrong.
$38 million plant causes $52 million in damage, and injured 90 people (cost not provided).

Meanwhile, don't park next to brick buildings, especially tall ones.
 
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1. What is a 5.5 earthquake?

A 5.5 earthquake is a seismic event that measures 5.5 on the Richter scale, which is used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. This means that the earthquake is considered moderate in strength and can cause some damage to buildings and structures.

2. Where did the 5.5 earthquake occur?

The 5.5 earthquake occurred in South Korea, near a geothermal power plant located in Pohang. The epicenter of the earthquake was about 9 kilometers away from the plant.

3. Can a geothermal plant cause earthquakes?

Yes, geothermal plants can cause earthquakes, although it is rare. The process of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground for geothermal energy production can create small fractures in the earth's crust, which can lead to seismic activity.

4. Was this earthquake caused by human activity?

At this time, it is not confirmed whether the earthquake was directly caused by the geothermal plant. However, the plant has been temporarily shut down for further investigation, as there have been reports of earthquakes in the same area since its opening in 2017.

5. What are the potential risks of earthquakes associated with geothermal plants?

The potential risks of earthquakes associated with geothermal plants include damage to the plant and surrounding infrastructure, as well as potential harm to nearby communities. It is important for proper risk assessments and monitoring to be conducted before and during the operation of a geothermal plant to minimize these risks.

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