Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Seismic noise interferometry for stress analysis

Project description

Non-intrusive method for crustal stress estimation

As global warming progresses, subsurface solutions such as geothermal energy and carbon capture play an increasing role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Their safe deployment requires reliable knowledge of Earth’s stress field, yet conventional methods are often costly and invasive. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SIRENS project aims to apply and advance a non-intrusive, cost-efficient technique to estimate the maximum horizontal stress direction (SHmax) using passive seismic sensing. By analysing seismic noise and Earth’s solid tides, SHmax will be assessed across diverse spatial scales in the Iberian Peninsula. The region’s diverse tectonic landscape and wealth of seismic data offer an ideal natural laboratory to advance this approach and support the regional energy transition.

Objective

As global warming accelerates, the need for effective solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has become critical. Many of these solutions—such as geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, and critical minerals for clean energy technologies—are found in the subsurface. The safe and sustainable use of these subsurface resources requires a precise understanding of the Earth’s stress field. Traditional methods for determining stress directions, particularly at reservoir and local scales, rely on costly and invasive borehole measurements.

The SIRENS project offers a non-intrusive, cost-effective alternative by using passive seismic sensing to estimate the maximum horizontal stress direction (SHmax) at various spatial scales. This method capitalizes on the behaviour of rocks under compression, where crack closure is influenced by local stress conditions, with the fastest closure occurring in the direction of SHmax. By leveraging the ever-present seismic noise and Earth’s solid tides, it is possible to determine the SHmax direction.

SIRENS will refine this technique, focusing on its application in the Iberian Peninsula. With its diverse tectonic landscape, extensive subsurface resources, and wealth of seismic data, Iberia serves as an ideal testing ground for advancing the methodology. The project will generate new insights into stress field estimation across different scales and provide a SHmax direction dataset that will contribute to Iberia’s energy transition.

SIRENS is committed to open science by making its tools and datasets freely accessible to the public. Collaborating with academic institutions and industry will ensure that the project’s outcomes are tailored to the needs of key stakeholders. Moreover, SIRENS will pave the way for future innovations in diverse geological settings, ensuring the project’s long-term impact. Ultimately, the project aligns with the Green Charter by working with a low-carbon, sustainable and cost-effective approach.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 194 074,56
Address
CALLE SERRANO 117
28006 MADRID
Spain

See on map

Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data
My booklet 0 0