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Source Mechanisms of Earthquakes in Northwest Louisiana
  • Emily Kraus,
  • Cynthia Ebinger,
  • Samantha Hilburn
Emily Kraus
Tulane University of Louisiana

Corresponding Author:ekraus2@tulane.edu

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Cynthia Ebinger
Tulane University of Louisiana
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Samantha Hilburn
Tulane University
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Abstract

Seismometers were installed in the Haynesville basin and Sabine uplifts in northwestern Louisiana and eastern Texas with the purpose of tracking earthquakes in correlation with hydraulic fracturing and wastewater injections in the area. Project ISLA (Investigating Seismicity of Louisiana) consists of 10 seismometers installed in June 2019 and 4 in late 2020 combined to discover baseline seismicity in the area. This study which analyzes earthquakes from April 2021 between 2.5 and 3.2 in magnitude uses data extracted from the ISLA seismic array in Northwest Louisiana from 2019 to present. Additionally, in an attempt to decrease azimuthal gaps data is also extracted from permanent TEXNET and U.S. array stations in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Absolute locations are determined using hypoinverse and the velocity model from East Texas. Focal mechanisms are determined by picking the polarity of P arrivals and plotting them on a stereonet, using take off angles and azimuths from hypoinverse results. Using first motion data, nodal planes are determined, and focal mechanism solutions are revealed. Analyses will result in the ability to understand focal mechanisms and earthquake locations in the Haynesville basin and Sabine uplifts in the context of Mesozoic rift structures, hydraulic fracturing, and wastewater injections.