Hydrogeodeformation monitoring: prospects of earthquake prediction

The regional hydrogeodeformatics, the new discipline dealing with regional deformation processes and based on hydrogeodeformation (HGD) monitoring methodology, was introduced in Russia in the early 1980s. During the last 30 years, the theoretical principles and HGD methodology were further developed and modified in Russia and some other countries. The HGD field is a combination of short-lived 3D deformation structures which are formed within the lithosphere and have a lifetime ranging from several days to several months. Monitoring of the HGD field within the study area provides a comprehensive picture of deformation changes and transformations occurring in real time. Some important HGD field features and parameters were described and discussed. A combined analysis of these parameters and seismic information was applied to the southwestern part of British Columbia (Canada). The results indicated that British Columbia was the area highly sensitive to global deformations and, as such, should be included in the international HGD monitoring network. Prior to establishing such a network, the existing provincial groundwater monitoring network in British Columbia could be utilized for HGD monitoring and predicting strong earthquakes in the province and the neighboring areas.