Seismicity induced by reservoirs: aswan high dam

Design, construction and operation of reservoirs take into consideration many environmental factors. One factor that has not been included in the siting and operation of most of these reservoirs is the effect of these reservoirs on seismic activity. Evidence indicates that the weight of water in the reservoirs may produce additional stresses on the subsurface stratum and can be the cause of earth tremors of various magnitudes. Raising water levels in reservoirs may also increase water pressures along nearby potential sliding surfaces (faults), thus decreasing the faults' resistance to sliding that resists earthquakes. This paper presents a summary of seismic activity which is traced indirectly to the operation of the reservoirs. Included are some data on the impact of the Aswan High Dam on seismic activity. The data on some reservoirs show that seismicity can be correlated to the filling of the reservoir but not all seismic activity near reservoirs can be attributed to the reservoir itself.