Hydroseismicity—A hypothesis for the role of water in the generation of intraplate seismicity

Research Article| July 01, 1987 Hydroseismicity—A hypothesis for the role of water in the generation of intraplate seismicity J. K. Costain; J. K. Costain 1Department of Geological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar G. A. Bollinger; G. A. Bollinger 1Department of Geological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. A. Speer J. A. Speer 1Department of Geological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1987) 15 (7): 618–621. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1987)15<618:HHFTRO>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation J. K. Costain, G. A. Bollinger, J. A. Speer; Hydroseismicity—A hypothesis for the role of water in the generation of intraplate seismicity. Geology 1987;; 15 (7): 618–621. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1987)15<618:HHFTRO>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract A new hypothesis, termed hydroseismicity, suggests that in crustal volumes with fracture permeability, natural increases in hydraulic head caused by transient increases in the elevation of the water table in recharge areas of groundwater basins can be transmitted to depths of 10–20 km and thereby trigger earthquakes. The flow-path geometry resembles, except for scale, the model familiar to groundwater hydrologists for near-surface flow. Possible trigger mechanisms for hydroseismicity include small increases in fluid pressure at hypocentral depths caused by such transient increases, the dissolution of minerals in water, and the solubility of water in minerals (hydrolytic weakening) that leads to structural weakening. A change in water level of less than 1 m (<0.1 bar) is sufficient, in principle, to trigger seismicity along a preexisting fault in a crust already tectonically stressed close to failure. Flow lines in the hydroseismicity model are over distances of tens of kilometres. Implicit in the model is a primarily diffuse distribution of epicenters (as is observed in the region) rather than concentrations along discrete geologic (faults) or geomorphic (rivers) elements. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.