Rapid Response Fault Drilling Past, Present, and Future

Brodsky, Emily E.; Fong, Kuo; Mori, Jim; Saffer, D. M.

doi:10.2204/iodp.sd.8.11.2009

Cited by 31 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Rapid response boreholes can allow the direct observation of temperature anomalies generated by frictional heating and characterization of other in situ properties relevant to understanding faulting processes [e.g., Tanaka et al, 2001;Ma et al, 2006;Brodsky et al, 2009]. The combination of these observations can potentially shed light on reasons the friction coefficient during slip is or appears to be so low.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does hydrologic circulation mask frictional heat on faults after large earthquakes?

et al. 2010

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[1] Knowledge of frictional resistance along faults is important for understanding the mechanics of earthquakes and faulting. The clearest in situ measure of fault friction potentially comes from temperature measurements in boreholes crossing fault zones within a few years of rupture. However, large temperature signals from frictional heating on faults have not been observed. Unambiguously interpreting the coseismic frictional resistance from small thermal perturbations observed in borehole temperature profiles requires assessing the impact of other potentially confounding thermal processes. We address several issues associated with quantifying the temperature signal of frictional heating including transient fluid flow associated with the earthquake, thermal disturbance caused by borehole drilling, and heterogeneous thermal physical rock properties. Transient fluid flow is investigated using a two-dimensional coupled fluid flow and heat transport model to evaluate the temperature field following an earthquake. Simulations for a range of realistic permeability, frictional heating, and pore pressure scenarios show that high permeabilities (>10 −14 m 2 ) are necessary for significant advection within the several years after an earthquake and suggest that transient fluid flow is unlikely to mask frictional heat anomalies. We illustrate how disturbances from circulating fluids during drilling diffuse quickly leaving a robust signature of frictional heating. Finally, we discuss the utility of repeated borehole temperature profiles for discriminating between different interpretations of thermal perturbations. Our results suggest that temperature anomalies from even low friction should be detectable at depths >1 km 1 to 2 years after a large earthquake and that interpretations of low friction from existing data are likely robust.Citation: Fulton, P. M., R. N. Harris, D. M. Saffer, and E. E. Brodsky (2010), Does hydrologic circulation mask frictional heat on faults after large earthquakes?,

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does hydrologic circulation mask frictional heat on faults after large earthquakes?

et al. 2010

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“…Measurements of the decaying temperature of the fault zone, as well as analyses of the changing stress and chemical properties of the fault rocks, are important observations that need to be made soon after the earthquake (Brodsky et al, 2009;Fulton et al, 2010). The scheduling of this expedition within 13 months following the earthquake reflects the rapid response taken by IODP to provide scientific information about large-scale geohazards that severely impact our societies.…”

Section: An Important Aspect Of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (Iomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The shallow distribution of large slip for the Tohoku earthquake provides an unprecedented opportunity to directly access a fault that has recently moved tens of meters. As outlined in the report from the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program/Southern California Earthquake Center international workshop on rapid response drilling (Brodsky et al, 2009), fundamental questions regarding stress, faulting-related fluid flow, and the structural and mechanical characteristics of the earthquake rupture zone can be addressed uniquely through rapid response drilling.…”

Section: Scientific Objectives and Operational Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chester¹,

Mori²,

Toczko³

et al. 2012

IODP Preliminary Report

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“…The more planning that is done now, the more likely it will be successful when a large earthquake provides the window of opportunity. A 2008 workshop jointly sponsored by the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP) and the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) prepared a science and technical plan for the drilling community, acknowledging the wide range of sites that may be encountered and the scientific issues to be addressed [Brodsky et al, 2009] (see http:// www .pmc .ucsc .edu/ ~rapid/). The group also recommended that international agencies embark on several specific preparatory activities and scientists compile necessary information on regional faults and extant boreholes, so that a drilling Fulton et al [2010].…”

Section: Planning For the Next Earthquakementioning

confidence: 99%

Drilling Into Faults Quickly After Earthquakes

2010

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What will it take to advance from current empirical models of earthquake initiation and fault slip to a full physics‐based understanding of rupture processes? The most important requirements include knowledge of absolute stress levels on the fault during an earthquake, how stresses recover afterward to prepare for the next event, how one earthquake promotes or inhibits another, and how material properties of a particular fault affect its propensity to fail catastrophically rather than creep. Immediately after a large earthquake, an opportunity exists to fill these knowledge gaps. For a few years after a major earthquake, the fault is observably changing and a deep borehole can capture measurable signals to address the key questions.

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Rapid Response Fault Drilling Past, Present, and Future

Abstract: Abstract. No abstract available. doi:10.2204/iodp.sd.8.11.2009

Cited by 31 publications

References 40 publications

Does hydrologic circulation mask frictional heat on faults after large earthquakes?

Does hydrologic circulation mask frictional heat on faults after large earthquakes?

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Drilling Into Faults Quickly After Earthquakes

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