The availability of hydrogeologic data associated with areas identified by the US Geological Survey as experiencing potentially induced seismicity resulting from subsurface injection; [La disponibilité des données hydrogéologiques associées aux zones identifies par le service géologique des Etats-Unis d’Amérique comme présentant une sismicité potentiellement induite résultant d’injection dans le sous-sol]; [A disponibilidade de dados hidrogeológicos associados com áreas identificadas pelo Serviço Geológico dos Estados Unidos como vivenciando sismicidade potencialmente induzida resultante de injeção em subsuperfície]; [La disponibilidad de datos hidrogeológicos asociados con áreas identificadas por el US Geological Survey como que experimentan sismicidad potencialmente inducida a partir de inyección subsuperficial]

A critical need exists for site-specific hydrogeologic data in order to determine potential hazards of induced seismicity and to manage risk. By 2015, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) had identified 17 locations in the USA that are experiencing an increase in seismicity, which may be potentially induced through industrial subsurface injection. These locations span across seven states, which vary in geological setting, industrial exposure and seismic history. Comparing the research across the 17 locations revealed patterns for addressing induced seismicity concerns, despite the differences between geographical locations. Most induced seismicity studies evaluate geologic structure and seismic data from areas experiencing changes in seismic activity levels, but the inherent triggering mechanism is the transmission of hydraulic pressure pulses. This research conducted a systematic review of whether data are available in these locations to generate accurate hydrogeologic predictions, which could aid in managing seismicity. After analyzing peer-reviewed research within the 17 locations, this research confirms a lack of site-specific hydrogeologic data availability for at-risk areas. Commonly, formation geology data are available for these sites, but hydraulic parameters for the seismically active injection and basement zones are not available to researchers conducting peer-reviewed research. Obtaining hydrogeologic data would lead to better risk management for injection areas and provide additional scientific evidential support for determining a potentially induced seismic area. © 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.