In search of earthquake-related hydrologic and chemical changes along Hayward Fault

doi:10.1016/0883-2927(94)90055-8

Applied Geochemistry

Volume 9, Issue 1, January 1994, Pages 83-91

https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-2927(94)90055-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

Flow and chemical measurements have been made about once a month, and more frequently when required, since 1976 at two springs in Alum Rock Park in eastern San Jose, California, and since 1980 at two shallow wells in eastern Oakland in search of earthquake-related changes. All sites are on or near the Hayward Fault and are about 55 km apart. Temperature, electric conductivity, and water level or flow rate were measured in situ with portable instruments. Water samples were collected for later chemical and isotopic analyses in the laboratory. The measured flow rate at one of the springs showed a long-term decrease of about 40% since 1987, when a multi-year drought began in California. It also showed several increases that lasted a few days to a few months with amplitudes of 2.4 to 8.6 times the standard deviations above the background rate. Five of these increases were recorded shortly after nearby earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or larger, and may have resulted from unclogging of the flow path and increase of permeability caused by strong seismic shaking. Two other flow increases were possibly induced by exceptionally heavy rainfalls. The water in both wells showed seasonal temperature and chemical variations, largely in response to rainfall. In 1980 the water also showed some clear chemical changes unrelated to rainfall that lasted a few months; these changes were followed by a magnitude 4 earthquake 37 km away. The chemical composition at one of the wells and at the springs also showed some longer-term variations that were not correlated with rainfall but possibly correlated with the five earthquakes mentioned above. These correlations suggest a common tectonic origin for the earthquakes and the anomalies. The last variation at the affected well occurred abruptly in 1989, shortly before a magnitude 5.0 earthquake 54 km away.

Reference (13)

BriggsR.C. et al.
Effects of the Arvin-Tehachapi earthquake on spring and stream flow
CrittendenM.D.
Geology of the San Jose-Mount Hamilton area, California
California Division of Mines Bull.
(1951)
GalehouseJ.S. et al.
San Francisco Bay region fault creep rates measured by theodolite
KingC.-Y.
Gas geochemistry applied to earthquake prediction: an overview
J. Geophys. Res.
(1986)
KingC.-Y. et al.
Anomalous chemical changes in well waters and possible relation to earthquakes
Geophys. Res. Lett.
(1981)
McPhersonR.C. et al.
The Honeydew earthquake, August 17, 1991
California Geol.
(1992)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (35)

Fault-controlled springs: A review
2022, Earth-Science Reviews
Springs sustain groundwater-dependent ecosystems and provide freshwater for human use. Springs often occur because faults modify groundwater flow pathways leading to discharge from aquifers with sufficiently high pressure. This study reviews the key characteristics and physical processes, field investigation techniques, modelling approaches and management strategies for fault-controlled spring systems. Field investigation techniques suitable for quantifying spring discharge and fault characteristics are often restricted by high values of spring ecosystems, requiring mainly non-invasive techniques. Numerical models of fault-controlled spring systems can be divided into local-scale, process-based models that allow the damage zone and fault core to be distinguished, and regional-scale models that usually adopt highly simplified representations of both the fault and the spring. Water resources management relating to fault-controlled spring systems often involves ad hoc applications of trigger levels, even though more sophisticated management strategies are available. Major gaps in the understanding of fault-controlled spring systems create substantial risks of degradation from human activities, arising from limited data and process understanding, and simplified representations in models. Thus, further studies are needed to improve the understanding of hydrogeological processes, including through detailed field studies, physics-based modelling, and by quantifying the effects of groundwater withdrawals on spring discharge.
Testing of <sup>222</sup>Rn application for recognizing tectonic events observed on water-tube tiltmeters in underground Geodynamic Laboratory of Space Research Centre at Książ (the Sudetes, SW Poland)
2020, Applied Radiation and Isotopes
Citation Excerpt :
Another advantage is its radioactivity, which can be easily detected by physico-chemical methods, such as active methods, e.g. using semiconductor detectors, Lucas chamber and AlphaGUARD (Kozłowska and Kozak, 2006; Przylibski et al., 2010) despite its very small concentration (of the order of 10−16 g/kg of rock) in the upper part of the earth's crust (Conen and Robertson, 2002; Oliveira et al., 2003; Hamada and Miyazaki, 2004; Sakashita et al., 2004; Wu et al., 2004; Brunke et al., 2004; Gupta et al., 2004; Zahorowski et al., 2004; Sesana et al., 2006; Podstawczyńska et al., 2009; Richon et al., 2011; Zafrir et al., 2013). There have been attempts to apply variations in 222Rn activity concentration in soil air, groundwaters or other geofluids (e.g. crude oil, natural gas or CO2 stream) to characterize and predict phenomena such as earthquakes (Steinitz et al., 2003; Fleischer, 1981; Hammond et al., 1981; Fong-Liang and Gui-Ru, 1981; Fong-Liang et al., 1981; Ta-Liang et al., 1981; King, 1984/1985, 1986; Igarashi et al., 1993, 1995; King et al., 1993, 1994, 1996; Virk and Singh, 1993, 1994; Heinicke et al., 1995; Ohno and Wakita, 1996; Al-Hilal et al., 1998; Finkelstein et al., 1998; Fytikas et al., 1999; Castro Morales and LaBrecque, 1999; Heinicke and Koch, 2000; Zmazek et al., 2000, 2005; LaBrecque et al., 2001; Biagi et al., 2001; Planinić et al., 2001, 2004; Virk and Walia, 2001; Tsvetkova et al., 2001; Richon et al., 2003; Huang et al., 2004; Hartmann and Levy, 2005; Choubey et al., 2007, 2009; Crockett et al., 2006; Ghosh et al., 2009; Kuo et al., 2006, 2011; İnan and Seyis, 2010; Crockett and Gillmore, 2010; Yalım et al., 2012; Shi et al., 2013; Negarestani et al., 2014; Petraki et al., 2015), volcanic eruptions (Barillon et al., 1993; Martinelli, 1998; Martinelli et al., 1995; Segovia, 1991; Segovia et al., 1995, 1997; 2001; Connor et al., 1996; Segovia and Mena, 1999; Garcìa et al., 2000; Berlo et al., 2004; Immè et al., 2006), landslide formation (Choubey et al., 2005), mining subsidence (Kies et al., 2004) as well as rock bursts, and gas or rock outbursts in mines (Lebecka et al., 1990; Mnich and Lebecka, 1992; Wysocka, 2010) or to identify active fault zones (Steele, 1981; Toutain and Baubron, 1999; Baubron et al., 2002; Ioannides et al., 2003; Al-Tai et al., 2004; Pizzino et al., 2004; Ramola, 2009; Utkin and Yurkov, 2010) and earth tides (Walia et al., 2003, 2013; Yang et al., 2005; Hartmann, 2005). A wide range of possible applications of radon as a tracer in a variety of processes occurring in the natural environment inspired us to launch joint research.
Research on relationships between variation in ²²²Rn activity concentration and tectonic events recorded using the instruments of the Geodynamic Laboratory of SRC PAS at Książ (the Sudetes, SW Poland) had been conducted since 2014. The performed analyses of variation have demonstrated the spatial character of changes in ²²²Rn activity concentration. Their time-course is comparable in all parts of the underground laboratory. This means that gas exchange between the lithosphere and the atmosphere occurs not only through fault zones but also through all surfaces of the underground workings: the floors, the sidewalls and the roofs. Further, some relationships between ²²²Rn activity concentration and tectonic activity of the orogen have been demonstrated with the use of Pearson's linear correlation coefficient. The comparison between temporal distribution (times series) of radon activity concentration and water-tube tiltmeters (WTs) demonstrated that radon data have regular oscillations which can be approximated using the sine function with a 12 month cycle (seasonal changes) and amplitude in the range of 1000–1500 Bq/m³. To compare the collected radon signal data and tectonic activity, we used linear function as the simplest method of trend assessment. Pearson's correlation coefficient r cannot be accepted as appropriate for assessing the interdependencies between variables because they do not have a normal distribution, and the relationship between them is not linear.
It was noted that each series of data, namely radon activity concentration and tectonic activity determine the series of deviations above and below the trend function. Because of the non-fulfillment of the above assumptions, we used nonparametric equivalents such as Spearman's rank correlation coefficient r_s and Kendall's tau. The obtained results showed that the value of the r_s coefficient ranges from 0.38 to even 0.43. The best relationship at the level of r_s = 0.43 was determined between the radon activity concentration recorded by detector no. 3 and the tectonic activity of the rock mass registered on the WT-2 channel. Similar at the r_s level of 0.37–0.38 between detector no. 5 and 4 and the WT-2 channel. A bit higher than r_s = 0.39 between detector no. 3 and the WT-2 channel. In each case, these were positive correlations. The obtained Spearman's r_s coefficients indicate the correlation between ²²²Rn activity concentration and tectonic activity of the rock mass. The t-statistic, which analyzes the significance of Spearman's coefficient r_s is a descriptive measure of the accuracy of regression matching to empirical data. It takes values in the range of percentage and provides informations about which part of the total variability of the radon activity concentration (Y) observed in the sample has been explained (determined) by regression in relation to tectonic activity of the rock mass (X). In our case, approximately f 40% to more than 50% of the radon activity concentration (Y) was explained by regression in relation to the tectonic activity of the rock mass. We obtained similar results with the use of Kendall's tau coefficient.
Precise description of the character of this relationship requires further, more detailed analyses, such as comparing characteristics of the distributions based on trend variation like Monte Carlo simulation, Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines or neural networks.
Experimental evidence on formation of imminent and short-term hydrochemical precursors for earthquakes
2010, Applied Geochemistry
The formation of imminent hydrochemical precursors of earthquakes is investigated by the simulation for water–rock reaction in a brittle aquifer. Sixty-one soaking experiments were carried out with granodiorite and trachyandesite grains of different sizes and three chemically-distinct waters for 6 to 168 h. The experimental data demonstrate that water–rock reaction can result in both measurable increases and decreases of ion concentrations in short times and that the extents of hydrochemical variations are controlled by the grain size, dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation, as well as the chemistry of the rock and groundwater. The results indicate that water–rock reactions in brittle aquifers and aquitards may be an important genetic mechanism of hydrochemical seismic precursors when the aquifers and aquitards are fractured in response to tectonic stress.
Response changes of some wells in the mainland subsurface fluid monitoring network of China, due to the September 21, 1999, Ms7.6 Chi-Chi Earthquake
2004, Tectonophysics
About 60 hydrologic changes in response to the Chi-Chi earthquake with Ms7.6 on September 21, 1999, occurred in 52 wells, including groundwater level, temperature, discharge rate, well pressure and radon, etc., in the subsurface fluid monitoring network. These response changes were mainly co-seismic, but some pre- and post-earthquake changes occurred mainly within 5 days before and after the Chi-Chi earthquake. The response changes of different wells clustering in different tectonic areas showed different features. These changes are distributed in five areas named as A, B, C, D and E. The response changes in A area with short hypo-central distance (less than 550 km) were mainly pre-earthquake changes occurring more than 5 days before the event. Those in area B (in Huanan tectonic block) and C (in Huabei tectonic block) were mainly co-seismic changes. The hypo-central distance is about 1100–1280 and 800–1160 km, respectively. These changes were high-frequency water-level oscillations induced by seismic waves and accompanied by prominent and permanent water-level jumps and drops. There are also some post-seismic changes including discharge rate and water radon and well pressure changes in area C. Those in area D in the Yanshan tectonic block were mainly co-seismic and post-seismic changes including water level, water temperature, and water radon concentration, etc., showing prominent and permanent water-level jumps and drops and rising concentrations of water radon. The hypo-central distance is about 1750–2060 km. Those in Area E were mainly co-seismic changes showing prominent and permanent water-level jump. The hypo-central distance is about 1810–2120 km. Three moderate earthquakes occurred in area D and one strong earthquake occurred in area E 4 months after the Chi-Chi earthquake. The different features of the response changes might be caused by the changes of local hydrologic conditions (like permeability) induced by seismic waves. On the other hand, these response changes might indicate the near-critical conditions in the area where the response changes clustered. Such changes might be understood by the crustal buckling hypothesis. It is thought that the response changes might be a kind of precursor that implies elevated earthquake risk in the region.
Streamflow response to the Nisqually earthquake
2003, Earth and Planetary Science Letters
An extensive network of stream gages documents regional streamflow response to the M6.8 Nisqually earthquake wherein almost half of the gages analyzed within 115 km of the epicenter exhibited changes in baseflow within 13 h after the earthquake. Rapid streamflow response indicates that the impetus for the increased discharge originated within 100 m of the water table. Distance to the epicenter explained only 13% of the variance in streamflow response and the maximum modeled ground acceleration within 5 km of each gage location was not correlated with increased streamflow. Of those rivers that responded, post-seismic increases in discharge were correlated with pre-earthquake discharge; larger rivers exhibited greater absolute increases in streamflow. Analysis of baseflow recession in the periods 1 month before and 1 month after the earthquake indicates no systematic detectable changes in aquifer properties. Locations with seismically induced increases in streamflow were closer to the epicenter than an empirical limit to the area susceptible to liquefaction based on observations reported for previous earthquakes. In addition, the spatial pattern of streamflow response corresponds to the pattern of near-surface volumetric strain, with decreased streamflow in areas that dilated and substantial increases in streamflow in areas of greatest compression and subsidence. Together these observations suggest that settling and compaction of surficial deposits of the Seattle Basin and liquefaction of partially saturated valley-bottom deposits were responsible for post-seismic increases in streamflow. Compilation of distance–magnitude data for streamflow responses to a wide range of earthquakes show that streamflow changes generally occur in areas susceptible to liquefaction.
Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Hot Springs in Nantinghe Fault Zone, Yunnan Province
2022, Earthquake

View all citing articles on Scopus

View full text

In search of earthquake-related hydrologic and chemical changes along Hayward Fault

Abstract

Effects of the Arvin-Tehachapi earthquake on spring and stream flow

Geology of the San Jose-Mount Hamilton area, California

California Division of Mines Bull.

San Francisco Bay region fault creep rates measured by theodolite

Gas geochemistry applied to earthquake prediction: an overview

J. Geophys. Res.

Anomalous chemical changes in well waters and possible relation to earthquakes

Geophys. Res. Lett.

The Honeydew earthquake, August 17, 1991

California Geol.