Duration: 1995 to 2008

The research center investigated recent tectonic stresses in the Earth's lithosphere (consisting of the Earth's crust and upper mantle). The World Stress Map dataset was continuously expanded under critical examination of newly available data. Information on the stress field was obtained from earthquake focal solutions, borehole geometry data (borehole edge breakouts, hydraulically induced fractures), geological indicators (arrangement of volcanoes, faults), and overdrilling methods. In the medium depth range (1–5 km), the tectonic stress field was determined from borehole measurements in collaboration with international research institutions and industry.

The database and voltage maps are available online in their current form to all interested parties. (https://www.world-stress-map.org).

The research focus of the academy project was on the interpretation and numerical simulation of stress data with regard to stress sources and regional and local stress fields. The main aim was to investigate mechanisms of stress transfer and concentration. Tectonic stresses are responsible for large-scale and slow plate tectonic movements on the one hand, but also for local and short-term phenomena such as earthquakes on the other. The scope of application of stress maps ranges from basic geoscientific research to monitoring the arrangement of injection and production wells in the petroleum industry and in geothermal energy extraction.

 

Chairman of the Commission

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Helmut Kipphan

 

head of research

Prof. Dr. Friedemann Wenzel

 

Deputy Head of Research

Dr. Oliver Heidbach

 

Employees
  • Andreas Barth, graduate geophysicist
  • Dr. Birgit Müller
  • Johannes Altmann

 

Scientific advisor

Dr. Karl Fuchs, Professor Emeritus

 

address

Geophysical Institute of the University of Karlsruhe
Hertzstraße 16
76187 Karlsruhe
Phone 07 21/6 08 45 58
Fax 07 21/7 11 73
Email link:friedemann.wenzel@gpi.uni-karlsruhe.de