Effect of large earthquakes on groundwater transport

Abstract:

Large earthquakes can change the hydrological and mechanical properties of groundwater systems and alter groundwater flow and transport at great distances from the earthquake. Such change shows up in a broad variety of hydrologic responses, such as changes in groundwater level and increases in stream discharge, and provides an opportunity to study groundwater systems at spatial and temporal scales that otherwise could not be studied. Here we provide an overview of the hydrologic responses to large earthquakes. We then show that the groundwater system is highly sensitive to seismic waves, with different responses activated at different seismic energy densities. Finally we discuss the complexity of these processes in the light of the heterogeneity, anisotropy and time-dependent properties of groundwater systems, and provide an example to illustrate how earthquake-induced change in groundwater systems can impact large-scaled groundwater transport at large distances from the earthquake. The result suggests that the effect of large earthquakes on groundwater systems should be considered in engineering designs of large underground storage in areas of active seismicity.