8 Multidisciplinary studies of fault and earthquake hazard in low-strain environments: Applications to the Intermountain West region (Posters)
This session invites contributions that aim to characterize earthquake hazard within the low-strain Intermountain West region. We encourage abstracts that span field-based paleoseismology and geophysical studies and are particularly interested in interdisciplinary investigations.
Monday, 18 May 2026
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Alvarado D/E
High-Precision Relative Relocation of Induced Earthquakes in Southeastern New Mexico Using GrowClust 3D
Paper number: 8-2
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Authors
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Urbi BasuNew Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, Socorro, New Mexico
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Susan BilekNew Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, New Mexico
Abstract
The state of New Mexico regularly detects earthquakes from both natural and induced seismicity sources. The Rio Grande rift and the mid-crustal magma body near Socorro are known sources of natural seismicity. However, there has been a rapid increase in induced seismicity in the Delaware Basin in Southeastern New Mexico. These events are predominantly caused by anthropogenic factors, primarily oil and gas-related injection activities. Careful analysis to accurately locate earthquake epicenters is important; catalogs of earthquake locations are critical for comparing changes in earthquake activity with changes in anthropogenic activities over time. In our current research study, we are using a high-precision relative earthquake relocation using GrowClust 3D. GrowClust 3D is a Julia-based clustering and relocation algorithm that incorporates cross-correlation constraints and improves hypocentral parameters to get more precise relative relocated event locations using cluster analysis. We aim to apply this high-precision relative relocation tool to a machine-learning-developed catalog for southeastern New Mexico and west Texas. Our preliminary work focuses on determining optimal relocation parameters for GrowClust 3D to achieve robust clustering and minimize location uncertainty for a three-month dataset. Our study intends to produce a more comprehensive catalog of earthquake hypocentres with higher spatial resolution. With the help of this catalog, we aim to better understand the spatial and temporal seismicity patterns and any relation to injection operations. Identification of potential seismogenic fault zones will further help to better understand the seismicity evolution and seismic hazard risk of the region.
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4
doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410712
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