Since 2019, the seismic hazard in Alberta has been driven by cases of water disposal-induced seismicity. Numerous seismic clusters have been identified south of the Grande Prairie region related to water disposal activities injecting into the Leduc Formation and the Winterburn Group. In this study, we focus on the seismic clusters in the Musreau Lake region, which have been linked to water disposal activities in the Winterburn Group. Three main clusters have been identified in this area: (1) Central Musreau Lake, (2) East Musreau Lake, and (3) North Musreau Lake. The Central Musreau Lake cluster has been active since 2019, reaching the highest frequency of events and seismic hazard between 2021 and 2022 and a relative decline since then. Such a decline agrees with the overall reduction in the injection rates that reached the highest levels between late 2019 and early 2021. On the other hand, the East and North Musreau Lakes have experienced a significant increase in the frequency of events and seismic hazard for the years 2023 and 2024. This increase in seismicity matches new disposal activity injecting into the Winterburn Gp. as well as the occurrence of hydraulic-fracturing activities in the area.
Goerzen, C.D., Canales, M.R., Bui, H., Hauck, T.E. and Yusifbayov, J. (2025): An updated evaluation of the induced seismic clusters in the Musreau Lake region, Alberta; Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey, AER/AGS Presentation 2025-001.