Geothermal evidence for fluid flow through the gas hydrate stability field off Central Chile - transient flow related to large subduction zone earthquakes?.

Grevemeyer, Ingo , Kaul, N. and Diaz-Naveas, J. L. (2006) Geothermal evidence for fluid flow through the gas hydrate stability field off Central Chile - transient flow related to large subduction zone earthquakes?. Open Access Geophysical Journal International, 166 (1). pp. 461-468. DOI 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2006.02940.x.

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Abstract

Fluids are suspected to play a major role in the nucleation and rupture propagation of earthquakes. In Chile, seismological data were previously interpreted to indicate that fluids captured in the fault zone are released periodically during large underthrust earthquakes, leading to post-seismic fluid flow. In central Chile, heat flow derived from the presence of a bottom simulating reflector (BSR) show a smooth trend across the margin. BSR-derived data are in excellent agreement with thermal subduction zone models. Over the young accretionary prism, both BSR-derived and measured surface heat flow support a common trend. Landwards of the backstop, however, measured heat flow triples over a distance of 20–30 km, producing a profound discrepancy to the BSR-derived data. We suggest that this disparity is related to transient flow of warm fluids through the gas hydrate stability zone possibly caused by fluids released after large underthrust earthquakes. Such flow events may inherently affect the distribution of solid gas hydrates between the seafloor and the BSR.

Document Type: Article
Keywords: earthquakes; fluids in rocks; gas hydrates; heat flow; subduction zone
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-GDY Marine Geodynamics
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: Wiley
Date Deposited: 03 Dec 2008 16:51
Last Modified: 13 Jul 2018 12:35
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/749

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