Peter Styles
Keele University, Geology, Faculty Member
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The Technical-Scientific Commission for evaluating the possible relationships between hydrocarbon exploration and a marked increase of seismicity in the Emilia Romagna area hit by the May 2012 earthquakes (ICHESE) was appointed in the... more
The Technical-Scientific Commission for evaluating the possible relationships between hydrocarbon exploration and a marked increase of seismicity in the Emilia Romagna area hit by the May 2012 earthquakes (ICHESE) was appointed in the aftermath of the magnitude (M) major than 5.0 seismic events which occurred in Emilia-Romagna in the period May 20-May29 2012, producing significant damages and fatalities. It was appointed by Dr. Franco Gabrielli, Head of the Department of Civil Protection of the Presidence of Council of Ministers with the decree No. 5930 of December 11, 2012 following the request of the President of Emilia-Romagna Region (Ordinances no. 76 of November 16, 2012 and no. 81 of November 23, 2012). The composition of ICHESE was subsequently modified by the Head of Civil Protection through the decree of March 25, 2013 (following the ordinance No. 30 of March 15, 2013 of the President of the Emilia Romagna Region) and the decree of May, 8, 2013 (following the ordinance No. ...
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Research Interests: Civil Engineering, Geology, Environmental Geology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, England and Wales, and 15 morePermeability, Karst, Ground Water, Caves, Cost effectiveness, Dissolution, Rainfall, Aquifers, High Resolution, Electrical Resistivity, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Carbonate Rocks, Large Scale, Gravity Anomalies, and Boreholes
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Environmental low frequency noise and vibration (or “hum”) is a growing annoyance and potential health hazard to many people, according to surveys conducted by the UK's Low Frequency Noise Sufferer's Association. This paper... more
Environmental low frequency noise and vibration (or “hum”) is a growing annoyance and potential health hazard to many people, according to surveys conducted by the UK's Low Frequency Noise Sufferer's Association. This paper describes attempts to measure the “hum” using microseismic methods. Sensitive three-component seismometers and high resolution digital dataloggers were employed in the homes of “hum” sufferers, and three-dimensional vibrational data were recorded overnight. Frequency analyses were then performed on the time series data using Fast Fourier Transform methods. In one case study, a clear signal was observed corresponding to a fundamental vibrational frequency peak of 10 Hz. At least one harmonic frequency peak (30 Hz) was also apparent. It is suggested that local industry of some kind (with machinery running overnight at an operating frequency of 10 Hz) may be responsible for this ground-borne disturbance. In another house occupied by “hum” sufferers, no notab...
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Ron Girdler, age 71, died unexpectedly of a stroke at his home in Durham, England, on 19 October 2001. He became a member of AGU's Tectonophysics Section in 1960. He was elected a Fellow of AGU in 2001, but sadly, died before he could... more
Ron Girdler, age 71, died unexpectedly of a stroke at his home in Durham, England, on 19 October 2001. He became a member of AGU's Tectonophysics Section in 1960. He was elected a Fellow of AGU in 2001, but sadly, died before he could receive the award. ...
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ABSTRACT Shale Gas exploration in the UK began in 2010 with five stages of hydraulic fracturing of the Bowland Shale. Hydofracturing in Cuadrilla Preese Hall-1 used 5 couplets of mini- and main-fracs with c. 10,000 bbl per stage,... more
ABSTRACT Shale Gas exploration in the UK began in 2010 with five stages of hydraulic fracturing of the Bowland Shale. Hydofracturing in Cuadrilla Preese Hall-1 used 5 couplets of mini- and main-fracs with c. 10,000 bbl per stage, hydraulically isolated from each other during injection. An earthquake of 2.3 ML, a 1.5ML and a series of smaller events occurred from 31st March through May 2011 when work ceased for detailed analysis. Seismicity commenced after stages 2, 4 and 5; the largest occurring 10 hours after stage-2 shut-in. Seismological analysis using observations from seismometers emplaced after the 2.3 event, and regional data detected 55 seismic events from ML-2 to ML2, with 14 between ML 0.2 to M2.3, indicating a low B-value of 0.8 (+/- 0.3) suggesting an unusually small number of weaker events. The timing was highly correlated with injection with the largest events (stages 2 and 4) preceded by weaker events (ML0 and ML1.4) all located near the Preese Hall well, c. 500 meters south of the injection interval. The observed seismicity is almost certainly induced by hydraulic fracturing of the Preese Hall well. Future mitigation based on microseismic monitoring during hydrofracturing should reduce the likelihood of inducing further felt earthquakes.
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ABSTRACT Shale Gas exploration in the UK began in 2010 with five stages of hydraulic fracturing of the Bowland Shale. Hydofracturing in Cuadrilla Preese Hall-1 used 5 couplets of mini- and main-fracs with c. 10,000 bbl per stage,... more
ABSTRACT Shale Gas exploration in the UK began in 2010 with five stages of hydraulic fracturing of the Bowland Shale. Hydofracturing in Cuadrilla Preese Hall-1 used 5 couplets of mini- and main-fracs with c. 10,000 bbl per stage, hydraulically isolated from each other during injection. An earthquake of 2.3 ML, a 1.5ML and a series of smaller events occurred from 31st March through May 2011 when work ceased for detailed analysis. Seismicity commenced after stages 2, 4 and 5; the largest occurring 10 hours after stage-2 shut-in. Seismological analysis using observations from seismometers emplaced after the 2.3 event, and regional data detected 55 seismic events from ML-2 to ML2, with 14 between ML 0.2 to M2.3, indicating a low B-value of 0.8 (+/- 0.3) suggesting an unusually small number of weaker events. The timing was highly correlated with injection with the largest events (stages 2 and 4) preceded by weaker events (ML0 and ML1.4) all located near the Preese Hall well, c. 500 meters south of the injection interval. The observed seismicity is almost certainly induced by hydraulic fracturing of the Preese Hall well. Future mitigation based on microseismic monitoring during hydrofracturing should reduce the likelihood of inducing further felt earthquakes.
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The Gulf of Aden has the features of a miniature Atlantic Ocean, namely a central rough zone, main trough and continental margins. It has probably evolved within the last 45 Ma, i.e. it is approximately one third the age of the Atlantic.... more
The Gulf of Aden has the features of a miniature Atlantic Ocean, namely a central rough zone, main trough and continental margins. It has probably evolved within the last 45 Ma, i.e. it is approximately one third the age of the Atlantic. Being youthful, it is a good place for studying the early stages of continental drift, sea floor spreading and evolution of continental margins. Sixteen precision depth, gravity and total intensity magnetic profiles have been obtained in the westernmost Gulf of Aden along the direction N 32/212°, estimated to be the direction of sea floor spreading from the computer fit of Arabia and Somalia. In addition, a continuous seismic reflexion profile was obtained over the northern part of one of the profiles from the axial rift zone to the Arabian continental margin. The reflexion profile reveals that the basement (surface of oceanic layer 2) has at least three distinct slopes. Changes in the characters of the gravity and magnetic anomalies are noticed corresponding to the changes in slopes of the basement. In accord with recent ideas on the formation and cooling of oceanic lithosphere, it seems unlikely that the Gulf of Aden has evolved by continuous sea floor spreading and more likely it has evolved in at least three distinct phases. The earliest of these is difficult to date from the magnetic anomalies and three possible models are presented. The most likely indicates sea floor spreading from 0 to 4.5 Ma (Plio-Pleistocene), 16 to 23.5 Ma (latest Oligocene to lower Miocene) and 35.5 to 43 Ma (upper Eocene to lower Oligocene). The most surprising result is that the seismic reflexion and gravity data require the ocean-continent boundary to be between the 100 fathom contour and the coast. This implies that the continental margins are underlain by early oceanic crust and should more accurately be called oceanic margins rather than continental margins. Other discoveries include three previously unmapped transform faults and a jump in the spreading axis in the eastern part of the survey area. These, together with the locations of the recent spreading axes and a possible triple junction, are shown on a new tectonic map of the area.
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ABSTRACT
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Title: Two Stage Red Sea Floor Spreading. Authors: Girdler, RW; Styles, P. Affiliation: AA(School of Physics, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU), AB(School of Physics, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU). ...
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Peter Street is an area of terraced houses in Northwich suffering from subsidence, thought to be related to salt extraction in the 19th century. Microgravity and resistivity profiling have been used as non-invasive techniques to... more
Peter Street is an area of terraced houses in Northwich suffering from subsidence, thought to be related to salt extraction in the 19th century. Microgravity and resistivity profiling have been used as non-invasive techniques to investigate the cause of this subsidence. Repeat (or time-lapse) microgravity has been used to assess the stability and evolution of the low-density areas. Time-lapse microgravity uses the characteristics of anomaly size and gradient to track the development of cavities as they propagate to the surface. It is possible to monitor the change in gravity with time and to model the increase in cavity volume and/or depth. A gravity low was found to be coincident with the area experiencing subsidence. Integratedmodelling techniques including Euler deconvolution, Cordell & Henderson inversion and GRAVMAG modelling have been used to investigate the depth and size of the body responsible for this anomaly. Resistivity imaging has been used to investigate the conductivity of the near surface and constrain the gravity models. Results from both techniques suggest that low density ground is now present at a depth of 3–4 m below the surface in the subsidence affected area. The use of time-lapse microgravity has shown that there has been an upwardmigration of a low-density zone at gravity anomaly C over the monitoring period.
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Northwich is a town located on the Cheshire Basin. Salt was discovered there in 1670 and was mined extensively during the 19 Century. A legacy of this is the continuing subsidence of the surrounding area. This subsidence has restricted... more
Northwich is a town located on the Cheshire Basin. Salt was discovered there in 1670 and was mined extensively during the 19 Century. A legacy of this is the continuing subsidence of the surrounding area. This subsidence has restricted development of the town and resulted in the demolition of many buildings. Peter Street is an area of terraced houses suffering from subsidence, thought to be related to the mine workings of the 19 Century. Microgravity and Resistivity profiling have been used in Peter Street as non-invasive techniques to investigate the cause of this subsidence. Repeat (or Timelapse) Microgravity has been used to assess the stability and evolution of the low-density areas. Timelapse Microgravity uses the characteristics of anomaly size and gradient to track the development of cavities as they propagate to the surface. It is possible to create gravity time slices and to model the increase in cavity thickness. High resolution can be obtained using this differential method as the large terrain effect corrections and latitude corrections are automatically removed. Resistivity imaging has been used to investigate the conductivity of the of near surface. Results from both techniques suggest that areas of low density are present at a depth of ~6m in the area experiencing subsidence. Modelling of the gravity data suggests that there has been an upward migration of one of the voids over the monitoring period.
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The necessity to update academic discipline contents taking into account international experience is shown. At the School of Ecology in the framework of British Council project «Alternative Energy: Education and Science» (implemented... more
The necessity to update academic discipline contents taking into account international experience is shown. At the School of Ecology in the framework of British Council project «Alternative Energy: Education and Science» (implemented together with Keele University, UK) the course «Alternative Energy» was updated: new topics were included, new methods of teaching were introduced. The content of the course is presented in details. Due to up-dating students receive new competencies which allow them to solve complex problems and to be more competitive on the labour market.
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AbstractTo evaluate and mitigate tsunami hazard, as long as possible records of inundations and dates of past events are needed. Coastal sediments deposited by tsunamis (tsunamites) can potentially provide this information. However, of... more
AbstractTo evaluate and mitigate tsunami hazard, as long as possible records of inundations and dates of past events are needed. Coastal sediments deposited by tsunamis (tsunamites) can potentially provide this information. However, of the three key elements needed for reconstruction of palaeotsunamis (identification of sediments, dating and finding the inundation distance) the latter remains the most difficult. The existing methods for estimating the extent of a palaeotsunami inundation rely on extensive excavation, which is not always possible. Here, by analysing tsunamites from Sri Lanka identified using sedimentological and paleontological characteristics, we show that their internal dielectric properties differ significantly from surrounding sediments. The significant difference in the value of dielectric constant of the otherwise almost indistinguishable sediments is due to higher water content of tsunamites. The contrasts were found to be sharp and not to erode over thousands of years; they cause sizeable electromagnetic wave reflections from tsunamite sediments, which permit the use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to trace their extent and morphology. In this study of the 2004 Boxing Day Indian Ocean tsunami, we use GPR in two locations in Sri Lanka to trace four identified major palaeotsunami deposits for at least 400 m inland (investigation inland was constrained by inaccessible security zones). The subsurface extent of tsunamites (not available without extensive excavation) provides a good proxy for inundation. The deposits were dated using the established method of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). This dating, partly corroborated by available historical records and independent studies, contributes to the global picture of tsunami hazard in the Indian Ocean. The proposed method of combined GPR/OSL-based reconstruction of palaeotsunami deposits enables estimates of inundation, recurrence and, therefore, tsunami hazard for any sandy coast with identifiable tsunamite deposits. The method could be also used for anchoring and synchronizing chronologies of ancient civilisations adjacent to the ocean shores.
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This paper describes a case study in which low frequency noise was suspected of causing disturbance in a semi-rural location close to an industrial estate. Previous attempts using conventional acoustic measurement techniques to resolve... more
This paper describes a case study in which low frequency noise was suspected of causing disturbance in a semi-rural location close to an industrial estate. Previous attempts using conventional acoustic measurement techniques to resolve the case, or even prove the existence of a real acoustic problem, had proved unsuccessful. In the present study, the authors applied a novel integrated acoustic/microseismic measurement system, and assessed the resultant data using criteria from the German national standard DIN 45680. Using this approach, the authors successfully resolved the low frequency noise problem and, after a test involving a sequential shutdown at a suspect industrial site, established the precise cause of the disturbance. The paper thus supports the criteria in DIN 45680 as a predictor of annoyance due to low frequency noise and as an aid in resolving such problems. It also illustrates the flexibility of the combined acoustic/microseismic technique and the advantages of the m...
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ABSTRACT Shale Gas exploration in the UK began in 2010 with five stages of hydraulic fracturing of the Bowland Shale. Hydofracturing in Cuadrilla Preese Hall-1 used 5 couplets of mini- and main-fracs with c. 10,000 bbl per stage,... more
ABSTRACT Shale Gas exploration in the UK began in 2010 with five stages of hydraulic fracturing of the Bowland Shale. Hydofracturing in Cuadrilla Preese Hall-1 used 5 couplets of mini- and main-fracs with c. 10,000 bbl per stage, hydraulically isolated from each other during injection. An earthquake of 2.3 ML, a 1.5ML and a series of smaller events occurred from 31st March through May 2011 when work ceased for detailed analysis. Seismicity commenced after stages 2, 4 and 5; the largest occurring 10 hours after stage-2 shut-in. Seismological analysis using observations from seismometers emplaced after the 2.3 event, and regional data detected 55 seismic events from ML-2 to ML2, with 14 between ML 0.2 to M2.3, indicating a low B-value of 0.8 (+/- 0.3) suggesting an unusually small number of weaker events. The timing was highly correlated with injection with the largest events (stages 2 and 4) preceded by weaker events (ML0 and ML1.4) all located near the Preese Hall well, c. 500 meters south of the injection interval. The observed seismicity is almost certainly induced by hydraulic fracturing of the Preese Hall well. Future mitigation based on microseismic monitoring during hydrofracturing should reduce the likelihood of inducing further felt earthquakes.
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In this paper, we present a synthesis of the geophysical investigations conducted on experimental sites selected in the Lorraine salt basin and Haute-Normandie marlpits. These investigations were carried out in the frame of a partnership... more
In this paper, we present a synthesis of the geophysical investigations conducted on experimental sites selected in the Lorraine salt basin and Haute-Normandie marlpits. These investigations were carried out in the frame of a partnership (scientific and industrial) research program on cavities detection and characterization using techniques of high resolution seismic, microgravity and electric resistivity. The objective of the research is three folds: (1) to develop and optimize P and S seismic vibratory sources with an enhanced procedure of generation and optimization of sweeps (2) for each technique, to define the privileged application field and limitations regarding the general context of the considered site (3) to progress in the joint interpretations of the geophysical data. Despite the good quality of the data, the results evidence the complexity in the interpretation of the geophysical response in cavities environment due mainly to the compromise between the resolution and t...
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Geothermal energy extraction from low enthalpy resources within the UK is something of a hot topic; whilst the UK has only one working geothermal system (Southampton), there is scope for geothermal energy to make a more significant... more
Geothermal energy extraction from low enthalpy resources within the UK is something of a hot topic; whilst the UK has only one working geothermal system (Southampton), there is scope for geothermal energy to make a more significant contribution to the UK energy portfolio. A major assessment of UK geothermal resources was undertaken by the British Geological Survey, between 1976 and 1986. This identified low enthalpy resources associated with Permian and younger sedimentary basins. The total resource held within these basins was estimated at 292.6 EJ (Rollin et al., 1995); many times larger than the entire UK heating demand. More recently, work undertaken by Newcastle University and Durham University included drilling two new geothermal exploration wells at Science Central, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Eastgate, County Durham respectively. These wells both penetrate Carboniferous strata, and in the latter case the Devonian Weardale Granite. No wells have been drilled to further assess the...
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Northwich town centre is underlain by abandoned salt mines that are in imminent danger of collapse. The mines are being filled with grout in the next 3 years. We started microseismically monitoring the mines in 2001 to evaluate the... more
Northwich town centre is underlain by abandoned salt mines that are in imminent danger of collapse. The mines are being filled with grout in the next 3 years. We started microseismically monitoring the mines in 2001 to evaluate the stability of the mines before, during and after the remediation process, which should be completed in 2007.
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To determine whether 130 felt earth tremors around Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, UK, which also experienced severe surface fissuring, were caused by coal extraction, a surface seismometer array was established around Thoresby Colliery.... more
To determine whether 130 felt earth tremors around Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, UK, which also experienced severe surface fissuring, were caused by coal extraction, a surface seismometer array was established around Thoresby Colliery. Over the next year, 785 microseismic events were detected. The spatial and temporal variations in seismicity are clearly associated with the commencement, continuing extraction and closure of faces. Of particular note are events which locate at the surface and appear to be related to the active fissuring. Events occur within days of commencement of production and cease when production finishes, with good correlation between face advance and hypocentral position. Naturally occurring microseismic events have also been detected up to 1 km ahead of active longwall faces in the Midlands using triaxial geophone packages grouted into the seam together with a surface seismometer in the top of the borehole. The quality of these data was very high and guided wav...
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Peter Styles and Nigel J. Cassidy argue the case for non-invasive subsurface investigative methods in site remediation or reclamation projects involving the UK\'s legacy of mining and industrial contamination.
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In this paper Generalized Regression Neural Network methods (GRNN) are used for depth estimation of cavities from microgravity data and are shown to be faster than MLP neural networks with less data required for the training. The method... more
In this paper Generalized Regression Neural Network methods (GRNN) are used for depth estimation of cavities from microgravity data and are shown to be faster than MLP neural networks with less data required for the training. The method has been tested for both synthetic and real microgravity data from an open pit in Kalgoorlie Gold Mine, West Australia, and the results showed good accuracy of GRNN for depth estimation of cavities. Once trained fro this type of target the method can automatically determine parameters for similar geometrical targets
This paper presents a case study of the ground-borne vibrations generated by small wind turbines. This is of particular importance for assessing the possible impact on the detection capabilities of the International Monitoring System... more
This paper presents a case study of the ground-borne vibrations generated by small wind turbines. This is of particular importance for assessing the possible impact on the detection capabilities of the International Monitoring System seismic array at Eskdalemuir in Scotland. Measurements were gathered from a selection of small wind turbines (≤50 kW), from three different manufacturers, varying in hub height, power and construction using a range of accelerometers and seismometers fixed to the tower and buried in the adjacent ground at increasing distances. Previous studies have shown that medium and large turbines generate harmonic vibrations. Planning guidelines exist but have inadvertently led to a ban on the deployment of individual small-turbines within 50 km of the array. This study investigates whether their inclusion in these guidelines is necessary. Vibration levels on the tower are in the region of 10-3 m/sqrt(Hz), are transferred into the ground and decay rapidly away from ...
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Shale Gas exploration in the UK began in 2010 with five stages of hydraulic fracturing of the Bowland Shale. Hydofracturing in Cuadrilla Preese Hall-1 used 5 couplets of mini- and main-fracs with c. 10,000 bbl per stage, hydraulically... more
Shale Gas exploration in the UK began in 2010 with five stages of hydraulic fracturing of the Bowland Shale. Hydofracturing in Cuadrilla Preese Hall-1 used 5 couplets of mini- and main-fracs with c. 10,000 bbl per stage, hydraulically isolated from each other during injection. An earthquake of 2.3 ML, a 1.5ML and a series of smaller events occurred from 31st March through May 2011 when work ceased for detailed analysis. Seismicity commenced after stages 2, 4 and 5; the largest occurring 10 hours after stage-2 shut-in. Seismological analysis using observations from seismometers emplaced after the 2.3 event, and regional data detected 55 seismic events from ML-2 to ML2, with 14 between ML 0.2 to M2.3, indicating a low B-value of 0.8 (+/- 0.3) suggesting an unusually small number of weaker events. The timing was highly correlated with injection with the largest events (stages 2 and 4) preceded by weaker events (ML0 and ML1.4) all located near the Preese Hall well, c. 500 meters south o...
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It is known (Styles et al., 2005) that windfarms generate low frequency vibrations which propagate through the ground and have the potential to adversely affect sensitive installations, most notably seismometer arrays set up to monitor... more
It is known (Styles et al., 2005) that windfarms generate low frequency vibrations which propagate through the ground and have the potential to adversely affect sensitive installations, most notably seismometer arrays set up to monitor for nuclear tests. Significant work on the effects of large wind turbines has been carried out by Keele University as well as by Schofield (2002) and Fiori et al (2009). For the Eskdalemuir International Monitoring System station in Scotland, a vibration threshold was set, for wind farms within 50 km of Eskdalemuir, at frequencies around the 4 to 5 Hz region. However, with increased development, the threshold is being approached and small wind turbines (less than 50kW), even of the order of 15kW have also been restricted despite the differences in scale and modes of vibration. In order to protect Eskdalemuir a threshold limit was set for any turbine as a holding measure and a programme to try to establish whether they were really problematic has been ...
The first work which described the harmonic tonal nature of vibrations from windfarms was carried out at St Breock's Down, Cornwall, UK and is described in Legerton et al (1996) and more fully in Snow, and Styles (1997). This has... more
The first work which described the harmonic tonal nature of vibrations from windfarms was carried out at St Breock's Down, Cornwall, UK and is described in Legerton et al (1996) and more fully in Snow, and Styles (1997). This has since raised concerns about the possible effect of wind farms on sensitive installations. Styles et al (2005) describe an extensive monitoring programme to characterise the low frequency vibration spectra produced by wind turbines of various types, both fixed and variable speed. They demonstrated that small but significant harmonic vibrations controlled by the modal vibrations of the towers and excited by blade passing, tower braking and wind loading while parked, can propagate tens of kilometres and be detected on broadband seismometers. This meant that protective measures had to be implemented to protect the International Monitoring System (IMS) seismic monitoring station located at Eskdalemuir in the Scottish Borders, the UK's contribution to the...
A numerical method is proposed that estimates the position of a moving robot using the seismic signals caused by the robot on the surface upon which it moves. The work presented here describes an initial attempt to solve this problem... more
A numerical method is proposed that estimates the position of a moving robot using the seismic signals caused by the robot on the surface upon which it moves. The work presented here describes an initial attempt to solve this problem using an indoors model setup. This method of localizing moving vehicles will be more effective in outdoor environments where longer travel distances for seismic waves make separation between different types of waves more prominent and therefore measurable. Contrary to existing methods of localizing moving outdoor vehicles, this method requires no prior setup on the vehicle itself. Two experiments are presented: first, using a single robot in a seismically "quiet" environment and second, using two identical robots while trying to estimate the location of one of them.