Derek Elsworth

Affiliate Researcher
Titles and Affiliations
Professor, John and Willie Leone Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering (EME)

Research Summary

Computational mechanics, rock mechanics, groundwater hydrology, mathematical modeling, poromechanics, coupled processes, contaminant hydrology, mining engineering, petroleum engineering and fracture hydrology with applications to geothermal energy; the de

In the News

Research Keywords

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Recent Publications

Reactivation of critically-stressed basement faults and related induced seismicity in the southeastern Sichuan basin

An, M., Huang, R., Elsworth, D., Zhang, F., Yin, Z. Y., Huang, L. & Xu, Z., Mar 6 2025, In: Tectonophysics. 898, 230628.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Constraints on triggered seismicity and its control on permeability evolution

Elsworth, D., Li, Z., Yu, P., An, M., Zhang, F., Huang, R., Sun, Z., Cui, G., Chen, T., Gan, Q., Zhao, Y., Liu, J. & Liu, S., Jan 2025, In: Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. 17, 1, p. 20-30 11 p.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Influence of roughness and slip velocity on the evolution of frictional strength

Gan, Q., Zhang, X., Li, Q., Chen, J., Zhang, F., Zhong, Z., Jia, Y., Yu, P., An, M. & Elsworth, D., Apr 2025, In: International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. 188, 106076.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Mechanistic controls on permeability evolution in thermally-upgraded low-maturity oil shales: Application of machine learning outputs

He, B., Xie, L., Liu, X., Liu, J. & Elsworth, D., Apr 2025, In: Unconventional Resources. 6, 100133.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Ancient ocean coastal deposits imaged on Mars

Li, J., Liu, H., Meng, X., Duan, D., Lu, H., Zhang, J., Zhang, F., Elsworth, D., Cardenas, B. T., Manga, M., Zhou, B. & Fang, G., Mar 4 2025, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 122, 9, e2422213122.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Dynamic evolution of reservoir permeability and deformation in geothermal battery energy storage using abandoned mines

Liu, Y., Liang, Y., Ma, Y., Liu, J., Elsworth, D. & Gan, Q., Jan 2025, In: Rock Mechanics Bulletin. 4, 1, 100155.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Hydro-Grain-Texture Modeling of Systematics of Propagation, Branching, and Coalescence of Fluid-Driven Fractures

Wang, S., Elsworth, D., Zhang, L., Zhao, X. & Wang, T., Jan 2025, In: Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. 58, 1, p. 623-644 22 p., 104766.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Permeability evolution of fluid-injection-reactivated granite fractures of contrasting roughnesses

Zhang, F., He, G., An, M., Huang, R. & Elsworth, D., Feb 2025, In: Underground Space (new). 20, p. 33-45 13 p.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Underground energy storage using abandoned oil & gas wells assisted by geothermal

Zhang, Q., Dahi Taleghani, A. & Elsworth, D., Feb 28 2025, In: Journal of Energy Storage. 110, 115317.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Why does coal permeability time dependency matter?

Zhao, Y., Zhao, Y., Liu, J., Wei, M., Zhao, Z. & Elsworth, D., Feb 1 2025, In: Fuel. 381, 133373.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

The Stability Transition From Stable to Unstable Frictional Slip With Finite Pore Pressure

Affinito, R., Wood, C., Marty, S., Elsworth, D. & Marone, C., Jan 16 2024, In: Geophysical Research Letters. 51, 1, e2023GL105568.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Brittle sedimentary strata focus a multimodal depth distribution of seismicity during hydraulic fracturing in the Sichuan Basin, Southwest China

An, M., Elsworth, D., Zhang, F., Huang, R., Li, J., Xu, Z., Zhong, Z. & He, M., May 10 2024, In: Tectonophysics. 880, 230332.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Chemical compositions of Longmaxi shales and implications for fault stability during the extraction and storage of fuels and energy

An, M., Zhang, F., Yin, Z., Elsworth, D. & Huang, R., Jun 2024, In: Geoenergy Science and Engineering. 237, 212777.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Frictional Strength and Frictional Instability of Glaucophane Gouges at Blueschist Temperatures Support Diverse Modes of Fault Slip From Slow Slip Events to Moderate-Sized Earthquakes

An, M., Zhang, F., Yin, Z. Y., Huang, R., Elsworth, D. & Marone, C., Oct 2024, In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. 129, 10, e2023JB028399.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Rate-and-state friction of epidote gouge under hydrothermal conditions and implications for the stability of subducting faults under greenschist metamorphic conditions

An, M., Yin, Z., Zhang, F., Huang, R. & Elsworth, D., Nov 7 2024, In: Tectonophysics. 890, 230497.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review