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New paper

2026-08-11

New publication on the MzeroA and MzeroB experiments

Before conducting the large-scale FEAR-2 experiment, the research team carried out the MzeroA and MzeroB preparatory experiments at the BedrettoLab in 2024. These experiments were designed to investigate whether hydraulic stimulation strategies can influence the nucleation and growth of seismic rupture in a naturally fractured rock mass.

We recently published a paper presenting the results of these experiments. In MzeroA, the rock mass was first preconditioned through several days of fluid injection below fracture reactivation pressure before a hydraulic stimulation was performed. This approach resulted in the largest induced event of the campaign (Mw -0.54), accompanied by a distinct aftershock sequence. In contrast, MzeroB, which was conducted without preconditioning, produced higher seismicity rates, a larger activated volume, and a pronounced migration of seismic activity.

The study highlights both the potential and the challenges of designing hydraulic stimulations to either enhance or suppress seismic rupture. The findings provide valuable insights into earthquake physics and induced seismicity, and helped inform the design of the subsequent FEAR2 experiment.

Learn more:

Gischig, V. S., Meier, M.‐A., Lambiase,A., Jiang, D., Hertrich, M., GholizadehDoonechaly, N., et al. (2026). Hydraulicstimulation experiments attempting toenhance induced seismicity for earthquakephysics research. Journal of GeophysicalResearch: Solid Earth, 131, e2026JB033768. https://doi.org/10.1029%2F2026JB033768

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