Method and apparatus for automatic monitoring of tectonic stress

Measuring and testing – Specimen stress or strain – or testing by stress or strain... – Earth stresses

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Details

7315259, 7315217, 7315202, 166207, 166271, 166250, 367 14, G01N 3324, G01B 724, E21B 4700, G01V 100

Patent

active

056750889

ABSTRACT:
An apparatus for measuring in situ stresses surrounding an active earthquake fault and forecasting shallow earthquakes includes a network of monitoring stations, each operating a respective borehole assembly for measuring in situ lateral stresses. The monitoring stations are arrayed along a recognized fault plane and arranged to straddle the fault plane, so that lateral stress readings may be obtained throughout the ground media surrounding the fault zone. All of the monitoring stations communicate with a central data-gathering facility, so that real-time analysis of changes in lateral stress orientation and magnitude surrounding the fault zone may be undertaken, and the results used to forecast forthcoming seismic events. Each borehole probe assembly includes a trio of single fracture expansion probes operated periodically, reiteratively, and automatically to expand against the borehole wall and determine the principal maximum and minimum lateral stress vectors in the underground media. The assembly is suspended in the borehole by a wireline that provides electronic communications with a ground level monitoring station. Each probe assembly includes an anchor section that secures the assembly in the borehole at a selected and variable depth, and provides a stable base for a rotator section that rotates the expansion probes to any selected angle about the borehole axis. The ground level monitoring station includes a data communication link to transmit borehole data to a central office and to receive operational commands.

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