The British Geological Survey unveiled new hazard maps to guide UK offshore energy developments.
- Annually, the UK experiences between 200 and 300 earthquakes, mostly minor in scale.
- The maps target the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including the North Sea and Irish Sea.
- These tools use historical and instrumental data to predict earthquake risk by location.
- Developers can use these maps to mitigate risks for critical infrastructure projects.
In a move poised to bolster the safety of offshore energy ventures, the British Geological Survey (BGS) has introduced newly developed hazard maps that assess earthquake risks within the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). These maps are designed to assist offshore energy developers in planning and designing infrastructure with greater awareness of seismic activity.
The UK experiences a substantial number of earthquakes each year, numbering between 200 and 300. While many are minor, the potential for significant seismic events necessitates accurate hazard assessment tools.
The focus of the newly released maps includes strategic areas such as the North Sea, English Channel, Atlantic Ocean, and Irish Sea. These regions host vital energy infrastructure, including gas and oil fields and offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) sites.
Utilising a sophisticated model, the maps interpret earthquake occurrences through a synthesis of historical and instrumental observations, alongside regional tectonic and geological data. This model is crucial for understanding the potential ground shaking impacts of future seismic events.
Dr Ilaria Mosca of the BGS highlights that these maps represent the first significant update in over two decades, enhanced by recent advancements in methodological and computational capabilities. This progress allows for more precise identification of areas susceptible to seismic impact.
Particularly relevant to the UK’s environmental goals, the maps underscore the role of the North and Irish Seas in advancing decarbonisation and net-zero initiatives. The presence of historic seismic activity near CCS sites stresses the need for reliable earthquake hazard estimates, ensuring infrastructure safety.
Past events, like the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Dogger Bank in 1931 and the 5.2 magnitude tremor in the northern North Sea in 2022, exemplify the types of seismic activity that can affect offshore infrastructure. While the latter incident led to the shutdown of an oil platform, it did not result in significant structural damage.
These developments are particularly important for wind farms and carbon capture projects, which are pivotal to transitioning towards net zero emissions. The maps provide developers with essential information to design structures capable of withstanding potential seismic events, thus safeguarding both human lives and environmental interests.
The newly released earthquake hazard maps are a critical resource for ensuring the safe development of key offshore energy infrastructure while supporting the UK’s path to net-zero emissions.
