The Groningen Case: When Science Becomes Part of the Problem, Not the Solution

The Groningen case is exemplary of the quest, by both society and the scientific community, to deal with induced seismicity. Although induced earthquakes have already been recognized for decades in relationship to mining and water impoundment behind dams (e.g., Klose, 2010; Foulger et al., 2018), in recent years induced seismicity has become a global issue of public concern, in particular in relationship to hydrocarbon production, hydraulic fracturing, and wastewater disposal (e.g., Keranen and Weingarten, 2018). In the future, hazards emanating from induced seismicity will remain a matter of public concern, especially with further developments in, for...