A Study of Coal Mining-Induced Seismicity in Nottinghamshire, UK

Between Feb — Oct 2014, a local seismic array was used to monitor seismicity induced by longwall coal mining in Nottinghamshire, UK. Over 300 events were recorded, with the largest having a magnitude of 1.7. In this study we use these events to characterise the deformation induced by mining. Firstly we locate the event hypocentres, showing that the focus of deformation closely follows the mining front as it advances. We use the event frequency-magnitude distribution (FMD) to characterise the scale of deformation. The FMD shows a clear break in slope at a magnitude of approximately 1.4, corresponding to a maximum rupture length of about 50m. Finally, we combine measurements of source mechanisms with measurements of seismic anisotropy to image the stress changes induced by the mining.