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Sustained Changes in Well Water Levels Following a Large Earthquake: Possible Evidence of Permeability Decreases in a Shallow Groundwater System
Author(s) -
Liao Xin,
Wang Guangcai,
Shi Zheming
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2020gl090232
Subject(s) - groundwater , geology , permeability (electromagnetism) , alluvium , water level , consolidation (business) , water table , pore water pressure , hydrology (agriculture) , geotechnical engineering , geomorphology , accounting , membrane , geography , business , biology , genetics , cartography
Observation of earthquake‐induced changes in well water levels provides an opportunity to study the effects of seismic activity on the groundwater system. In this study, we used data from a well network in the alluvial Canterbury Plain of New Zealand’s South Island to document sustained and complex changes in well water levels following the 2010 Darfield earthquake. Sustained increases in well water levels in midstream areas, as well as sustained decreases in downstream areas, resulted from decreases in permeability. These decreases in permeability were possibly caused by consolidation of liquefied sediments following the earthquake.