Introduction to this special section: Passive seismic and microseimic—Part 1

A groundbreaking technique employed by the Romans in 77 CE at Las Médulas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northwest Spain, predates modern hydraulic fracturing by nearly two millennia. The method involved inducing failure by raising fluid pressure to extract gold from buried lodes, demonstrating an advanced understanding of geomechanical principles long before contemporary engineering advancements. This historical insight is highlighted alongside the evolution of seismic technology, emphasizing the parallels between ancient Roman innovation and modern unconventional gas extraction methods in the U.S., which have surged from 5% to 60% of production since 1995 due to hydraulic fracturing techniques.

Goodway, B. (2012). Introduction to this special section: Passive seismic and microseimic—Part 1. The Leading Edge, 31(11), 1296–1299. https://doi.org/10.1190/tle31111296.1