HiQuake: The Human-Induced Earthquake Database

HiQuake-The Human-Induced Earthquake Database is the most complete database of anthropogenic projects proposed, on scientific grounds, to have induced earthquake sequences. It is freely available to download from the website given in Data and Resources. At the time this article was written, HiQuake contained similar to 730 anthropogenic projects proposed to have induced earthquakes, as well as associated project-related and seismic data. The most commonly reported anthropogenic activities proposed to have induced earthquakes are mining and water reservoir impoundment. In recent years, the number of earthquake sequences proposed to have been induced by fluid-injection activities has grown. The most commonly reported maximum observed magnitude in an induced earthquake sequence is 3 <= M-MAX < 4. The largest earthquake in HiQuake proposed to have been induced had a magnitude of M-w 7.9 and occurred in China. Such large earthquakes release mostly stress of natural tectonic origin, but are conceivably triggered by small anthropogenic stress changes. The data in HiQuake are of variable quality because they are drawn from publications that span almost a century. We estimate underreporting to be similar to 30% for M similar to 4 events, similar to 60% for M similar to 3 events, and similar to 90% for M similar to 2 events. The degree of certitude that the given earthquake sequences were anthropogenically induced is variable. HiQuake includes all earthquake sequences proposed on scientific grounds to have been human induced without regard to the strength of the case made. HiQuake is offered freely as a resource to interested parties, and judging the reliability of any particular case is the responsibility of the database user. HiQuake will be routinely updated to correct errors, update existing entries, and add new entries. It has the potential to help improve our understanding of induced earthquakes and to manage their impact on society.