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Hydrochemical Changes Before and After Earthquakes Based on Long‐Term Measurements of Multiple Parameters at Two Sites in Northern Iceland—A Review
Author(s) -
Skelton A.,
LiljedahlClaesson L.,
Wästeby N.,
Andrén M.,
Stockmann G.,
Sturkell E.,
Mörth C.M.,
Stefansson A.,
Tollefsen E.,
Siegmund H.,
Keller N.,
Kjartansdóttir R.,
Hjartarson H.,
Kockum I.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: solid earth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.983
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 2169-9356
pISSN - 2169-9313
DOI - 10.1029/2018jb016757
Subject(s) - geology , mixing (physics) , seismology , induced seismicity , series (stratigraphy) , fault (geology) , term (time) , paleontology , physics , quantum mechanics
Hydrochemical changes before and after earthquakes have been reported for over 50 years. However, few reports provide sufficient data for an association to be verified statistically. Also, no mechanism has been proposed to explain why hydrochemical changes are observed far from earthquake foci where associated strains are small (<10 −8 ). Here we address these challenges based on time series of multiple hydrochemical parameters from two sites in northern Iceland. We report hydrochemical changes before and after M >5 earthquakes in 2002, 2012, and 2013. The longevity of the time series (10 and 16 years) permits statistical verification of coupling between hydrochemical changes and earthquakes. We used a Student t test to find significant hydrochemical changes and a binomial test to confirm association with earthquakes. Probable association was confirmed for preseismic changes based on five parameters (Na, Si, K, δ 18 O, and δ 2 H) and postseismic changes based on eight parameters (Ca, Na, Si, Cl, F, SO 4 , δ 18 O, and δ 2 H). Using concentration ratios and stable isotope values, we showed that (1) gradual preseismic changes were caused by source mixing, which resulted in a shift from equilibrium and triggered water‐rock interaction; (2) postseismic changes were caused by rapid source mixing; and (3) longer‐term hydrochemical changes were caused by source mixing and mineral growth. Because hydrochemical changes occur at small earthquake‐related strains, we attribute source mixing and water‐rock interaction to microscale fracturing. Because fracture density and size scale inversely, we infer that mixing of nearby sources and water‐rock interaction are feasible responses to small earthquake‐related strains.