Triggered Seismicity in a Flooded Former Coal Mining Basin (Gardanne Area, France)

Abstract

We studied the correlation between seismicity and the water table level in an abandoned coal mine (Bouches-du-Rhône, France), closed in 2003, where groundwater has been pumped out since 2010 to prevent underground flooding. Microseismicity was first felt by the population in 2010 and a strongly felt seismic swarm occurred in November 2012. The origin of the seismicity was therefore questioned, in relation to both the potential instability of old, shallow galleries that might generate damage at the surface and a local seismic hazard assessment. A temporary dense seismic network in the area allowed us to analyse the spatial distribution of the seismicity in detail. Most of the seismicity was clearly located under the mine workings, highlighting that an existing fault system crossing the mining operation was being hydraulically activated, in accordance with the known tectonic extension regime. Our analysis clearly shows a spatiotemporal relationship between seismic migration and the level of the mine aquifer between 2013 and 2017. Thus, seismicity will persist with oscillations of the mining aquifer, depending on the pumping capacities and effective rainfall. Continuous hydraulic and seismic monitoring is necessary to better understand these phenomena and assess the associated risks.