David Eaton

Dr. Eaton’s research focuses on induced (anthropogenic) earthquakes, characterized by tremor activity associated with enhanced hydrocarbon recovery and seismicity, with a secondary emphasis on deep lithospheric structure of continents. Research in this area is important to address knowledge gaps in understanding induced seismicity along with its associated risks, and to provide solutions to improve monitoring processes and mitigation outcomes.

Dr. Eaton leads an academic and research practice committed to collaboration, innovation, and mentorship. Through the Microseismic Industry Consortium (MIC), he co-leads an initiative that has transformed how researchers, and industry and government stakeholders understand the impacts of induced microseismic activity related to resource development. In 2020, MIC received NSERC’s Synergy Award for Innovation as a model for effective partnerships between industry and academia. Responding to recommendations from stakeholders, Dr. Eaton developed a capstone course titled “Emerging Technologies, Entrepreneurial Thinking and Disruptive Innovation in Geoscience”. This course offers students the opportunity to work on a technically rigorous project, pitch their ideas to a panel of investors and industry experts, and gain insights into the innovation ecosystem.

Current efforts to analyze the risks associated with induced seismicity caused by fluid injection and to develop scientific-based mitigation strategies are hindered because of inconsistent numerical modelling that ignores the complexity of the slip process. Knowing if the slip is seismic or aseismic is important when estimating the maximum magnitude and seismic hazard associated with a range of anthropogenic activities, including hydraulic fracturing and carbon dioxide storage.

To address this challenge, Dr. Eaton and his team have developed a software platform focused on the deployment of a rate-state frictional constitutive model for faults. Offered as a computational risk assessment and mitigation toolbox, it is the only software platform to use novel computer codes to perform realistic simulations of the entire process from fluid injection to fault slip. Outcomes from this research have resulted in the submission of six disclosures for inventions and a provisional patent application for the software platform which form the technological foundation for a new start-up ASEISMIC Solutions Inc. (ASEISMIC).

Since its creation in 2019, ASEISMIC has been offering consulting services that deliver risk assessments and mitigation plans for geothermal and oil & gas operators. Using components of the current software platform, they provide data-driven information focused on reducing damage to local populations and infrastructure, limiting environmental impacts and social risks, and providing improved financial asset valuations. Deploying the technology in real-word situations has prompted discussions to commercialize the toolbox and ASEISMIC is well positioned to bring this toolbox to market for wide-spread use.

This Innovation Fellowship provides crucial funding for Dr. Eaton’s team to continue developing their software platform for commercialization. Translating existing research codes and integrating them into a user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) will offer an innovative software solution that can be integrated with pre-existing software packages – not currently available in the marketplace. Furthermore, this will give Dr. Eaton time to apply for additional project funding to complete the minimal viable product (MVP) assessment and to submit further IP applications. Having a completed MVP assessment and additional IP applications would improve the ability to attract external investment for ASEISMIC Solutions Inc. and to support research innovations and commercialization for their software platform.