Name
Ground deformation caused by natural resource extraction in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin
Description
A study has been conducted linking multiple natural resource extraction activities in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) with observations of ground deformation. The study used Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data acquired as early as 2015 from Sentinel-1, RADARSAT-2, and RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) to map ground deformation produced by induced earthquakes and long-lasting ground deformation due to Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) and Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) enhanced oil recovery and coal and potash underground mining. The study found that hydraulic fracturing and saltwater injection in WCSB caused seismic and aseismic ground deformation, which had a similar surface expression, spatial extent, and orientation, suggesting that these processes may be technogenic. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data was used to map these deformation signals. The study concludes that the environmental impact of natural resource extraction in the WCSB needs to be further investigated. The observations of various deformation signals that may precede more consequential events in the area highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and research.