Statistical and spatial evaluation of mining-induced seismicity using GIS
Purpose. This study investigates the seismicity of North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany, focusing on the tectonically active Lower Rhine Embayment and the surrounding Rhenish lignite mining district. It aims to characterize spatial, temporal, and magnitude-related patterns of seismicity and to assess the influence of both natural and anthropogenic factors. Methodology. A catalog of 626 earthquake events recorded between 1970 and 2026 was obtained from an open-access database, including information on earthquake magnitude, focal depth, geographic location, and occurrence time.