Fossil Fuels and their Effects on Society

Fossil Fuels and their Effects on Society

COURSE GOALS

This choice topic is focused on the extraction of fossil fuels, particularly gas in Groningen, and the effects of this exploitation on society. The choice topic will cover the whole range from the formation of gas and oil to the resulting effects of human-induced earthquakes and related deformation. After an introduction into the Groningen area, you learn about general characteristics of a gas reservoir, its geological history and formation. Next step in the process is the exploitation of the gas, and its effects on the gas reservoir, earthquake mechanisms, with a particular focus on human-induced earthquakes. In this context, the different kinds of waves that originate from gas related earthquakes and their specific characteristics, in terms of motion and propagation, will be discussed. Knowledge of where earthquakes might occur combined with their propagation characteristics will be discussed as part of a seismic hazard analysis. You will explore which elements are needed for seismic hazard analysis and how that might have an impact on assessing the vulnerability of society. Ultimately, regional deformation due to exploitation activities will be discussed using InSAR analysis.