Hydrogeochemical changes before and after a major earthquake

Research Article| August 01, 2004 Hydrogeochemical changes before and after a major earthquake Lillemor Claesson; Lillemor Claesson 1Department of Geology and Geochemistry, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden, and Nordic Volcanological Institute, ASKJA, Sturlugata 7, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Alasdair Skelton; Alasdair Skelton 2Department of Geology and Geochemistry, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Colin Graham; Colin Graham 3School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, Scotland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Carlo Dietl; Carlo Dietl 4Geologisches Institut, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Pleicherwall 1, 97070 Würzburg, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Magnus Mörth; Magnus Mörth 6Department of Geology and Geochemistry, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Peter Torssander; Peter Torssander 6Department of Geology and Geochemistry, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ingrid Kockum Ingrid Kockum 7Department of Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2004) 32 (8): 641–644. https://doi.org/10.1130/G20542.1 Article history received: 11 Feb 2004 rev-recd: 12 Apr 2004 accepted: 16 Apr 2004 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Lillemor Claesson, Alasdair Skelton, Colin Graham, Carlo Dietl, Magnus Mörth, Peter Torssander, Ingrid Kockum; Hydrogeochemical changes before and after a major earthquake. Geology 2004;; 32 (8): 641–644. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G20542.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Hydrogeochemical changes were detected by monitoring ice age meteoric waters before and after a magnitude (M) 5.8 earthquake on 16 September 2002 in the Tjörnes Fracture Zone, northern Iceland. Significant Cu, Zn, Mn, and Cr anomalies reached our sampling station 1, 2, 5, and ≥10 weeks before the earthquake, respectively. By comparison with published experimental, geophysical, and geochemical studies, we suggest stress-induced source mixing and leakage of fluid from an external (hotter) basalt-hosted source reservoir, where fluid-rock interaction was more rapid. Rapid 12%–19% increases in the concentrations of B, Ca, K, Li, Mo, Na, Rb, S, Si, Sr, Cl, and SO4, and decreases in Na/Ca, δ18O, and δD, occurred 2–9 days after the earthquake. The rapidity of these changes is consistent with time scales of fault sealing due to coupled deformation and fluid flow. We interpret fluid-source switching in response to fault sealing and unsealing, with the newly tapped aquifer containing chemically and isotopically distinct ice age meteoric water. Variation in Na/Ca ratio appears to be sensitive to the changing stress state associated with M > 4 earthquakes. This study highlights the potential of hydrogeochemical change in earthquake-prediction studies. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.