Excess pore pressure generation of oceanic basalt by permeabilty evolution at Nankai subduction zone

Abstract:

Excess pore pressure can be generated along or near interfaces of plate boundary at subduction zones, which is predicted by seismic velocities, and it is a key to understand coseismic slip behaviors during large earthquakes. Evolution of permeability within fault zones and upper sediments during burial and subduction is one of possible mechanisms that generate excess fluid pressure. This evolution process for sediment materials has been reported in previous studies, though the permeability evolution for oceanic crust, which also controls the pore pressure distribution around plate boundary, is not known well. Basalt brocks in the Cretaceous Shimanto accretionary complex of Japan preserve paleo Nankai Subduction structure, and based on vitrinite reflectance, Ro, for neighbor sedimentary rocks, basalt brocks at different areas show different degree of alteration. Therefore, the evolution of fluid transport properties for oceanic basalt at Nankai Subduction zone is estimated by comparing transport properties for various basaltic rocks from the on shore Shimanto belt, South-western Japan.

We measured the rock physical properties from Okitsu-Kozurutsu, Kure, Mugi, and Makimine sites in the southeast Japan. Permeability and porosity was measured at room temperature and under confining pressure from 1 to 160 MPa. The steady state gas flow method was applied to evaluate permeability by using nitrogen gas as a pore fluid. Permeability decreases from 10^-18 to 10^-22 m² with an increase in the degree of alteration from 1 to 4.5 of Ro (Maximum paleo-temperatures are 80 and 320 ^oC, respectively). Porosity was also decreased from 5 to 0.5 % with alteration. The relationship between permeability and porosity is described by power law. Our results suggest that based on the evolution curves of permeability and porosity and dehydration rate, porosity reduction in oceanic basalt will contribute to pore pressure generation at shallower subduction zone. On the other hand, clay dehydration will influence more on the pore pressure rise at greater depth. Excess pore pressure can be formed more easily at greater depth.