Quantitative assessment of the changes in regional water flow systems caused by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake using numerical modeling

Tawara, Yasuhiro; Hosono, Takahiro; Fukuoka, Youichi; Yoshida, Takafumi; Shimada, Jun

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.124559

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The response of mountain waters appeared within 1 day as increased river and spring discharges 6,47 and abnormal groundwater level rise in recharge area ( Supplementary Fig. 3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stable isotopes show that earthquakes enhance permeability and release water from mountains

et al. 2020

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Hydrogeological properties can change in response to large crustal earthquakes. In particular, permeability can increase leading to coseismic changes in groundwater level and flow. These processes, however, have not been well-characterized at regional scales because of the lack of datasets to describe water provenances before and after earthquakes. Here we use a large data set of water stable isotope ratios (n = 1150) to show that newly formed rupture systems crosscut surrounding mountain aquifers, leading to water release that causes groundwater levels to rise (~11 m) in down-gradient aquifers after the 2016 M w 7.0 Kumamoto earthquake. Neither vertical infiltration of soil water nor the upwelling of deep fluids was the major cause of the observed water level rise. As the Kumamoto setting is representative of volcanic aquifer systems at convergent margins where seismotectonic activity is common, our observations and proposed model should apply more broadly.

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“…The response of mountain waters appeared within 1 day as increased river and spring discharges 6,47 and abnormal groundwater level rise in recharge area ( Supplementary Fig. 3).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4c). Numerical simulations involving permeability changes have reproduced these regional flow changes using a physically-based integrated watershed modeling tool 47 . In recharge areas, water level rise anomalies still remain 3 years after the main shock, hypothesized to be because of persistent permeability increase in mountain aquifers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stable isotopes show that earthquakes enhance permeability and release water from mountains

et al. 2020

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“…Characterizing and quantifying temporal evolution of permeability, the key hydraulic parameter controlling groundwater flow, also remain one of the present-day scientific challenges 5 , 29 . Long term monitoring is difficult and challenging 30 but monitoring permeability evolution in seismically active regions such as subduction zones could provide unique opportunities to understand the link between earthquakes and permeability variations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earthquakes and extreme rainfall induce long term permeability enhancement of volcanic island hydrogeological systems

Vittecoq

Fortin

Maury

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Earthquakes affect near-surface permeability, however temporal permeability evolution quantification is challenging due to the scarcity of observations data. Using thirteen years of groundwater level observations, we highlight clear permeability variations induced by earthquakes in an aquifer and overlaying aquitard. Dynamic stresses, above a threshold value PGV > 0.5 cm s−1, were mostly responsible for these variations. We develop a new model using earth tides responses of water levels between earthquakes. We demonstrate a clear permeability increase of the hydrogeological system, with the permeability of the aquifer increasing 20-fold and that of the aquitard 300-fold over 12 years, induced by fracture creation or fracture unclogging. In addition, we demonstrate unprecedented observations of increase in permeability due to the effect of extreme tropical deluges of rainfall and hurricanes. The water pressure increase induced by the exceptional rainfall events thus act as piston strokes strong enough to unclog congested fractures by colloids, particles or precipitates. Lastly, an analysis of regional permeabilities also highlights a permeability increase over geological timeframes (× 40 per million years), corroborating the trend observed over the last decade. This demonstrates that permeability of aquifers of andesitic volcanic islands, such as the Lesser Antilles, significantly evolve with time due to seismic activity and extreme rainfall.

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“…Groundwater moved through newly developed cracks in the new fault formation. This occurrence and groundwater movement were quantitively verified using numerical simulations [4,20]. Seismic-induced changes in hydro-geochemistry are also likely to lead to changes in microbial species and noble gases (radon, helium).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Many foreshocks and aftershocks accompanied the mainshock within the week from 14-20 April 2016. The earthquake produced a 40 km long surface rupture along the Hinagu-Futagawa fault fracture zone, and simultaneously, a series of geological disasters occurred such as formation of new fault systems (Suizenji fault), mountain landslides, land subsidence and uplift, and liquefaction [1][2][3][4]. These processes resulted in extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure in the seismic area, as well as 273 fatalities [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of the Japanese 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake on Nitrate Content in Groundwater Supply

Nakagawa

Shimada

et al. 2020

Minerals

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The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake had a significant impact on groundwater levels and quality. In some areas, the groundwater level increased significantly due to the release of groundwater from upstream mountainous regions. Conversely, the groundwater level in other areas greatly decreased due to the creation of new fracture networks by the earthquake. There were also significant changes in certain groundwater quality variables. In this study, we used clustering based SOM (self-organizing maps) analysis to improve the understanding of earthquake effects on groundwater quality. We were especially interested in effects on groundwater used for drinking purposes and in nitrate concentration. For this purpose, we studied groundwater nitrate (NO3− + NO2−–N) concentrations for the period 2012–2017. Nitrate concentration changes were classified into seven typical SOM clusters. The clusters were distributed in three representative geographical regions: a high concentration region (>4 mg/L), a low concentration region (<1.6 mg/L) with minimal anthropogenic loading area, and an intermediate concentration region (2–4 mg/L). Depending on these regions, the nitrate concentration changes just before and after the earthquake had both increasing and decreasing trends between 2015–2017. This points to complex physiographical relationships for release of stored upstream groundwater, promotion of infiltration of shallow soil water/groundwater, and nitrate concentration as affected by earthquakes. We present an analysis of these complex relationships and a discussion of causes of nitrate concentration changes due to earthquakes.

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Quantitative assessment of the changes in regional water flow systems caused by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake using numerical modeling

Cited by 13 publications

References 23 publications

Stable isotopes show that earthquakes enhance permeability and release water from mountains

Stable isotopes show that earthquakes enhance permeability and release water from mountains

Earthquakes and extreme rainfall induce long term permeability enhancement of volcanic island hydrogeological systems

Effects of the Japanese 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake on Nitrate Content in Groundwater Supply

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