Chris,

I think some linkage to the geothermal energy extraction and the microswarms has been suggested. I would think the injection/extraction process would be driven by pressure dynamics. And both processes are occuring at the same time. Somebody on another forum seemed to think that cool water is pumped in, allowed to heat, and is then extracted as water vapor. If that were the case, we would see well timed microseismicity of some kind.

In the end, I think the net heat energy loss throughout the basin medium would have the greatest effect, especially to pore pressure dynamics. We are subtracting heat energy from that geothermal field. Even though they maintain a pressure constant at one point, that point is pulling from the surrounding heat energy source. If there was a natural micro cycle there, my guess is that has been changed. I'm not sure I really like people (no matter how smart) tinkering with an area like this.

Glen

• Obsidian Swarm (good maps)