Earthquakes and extreme rainfall induce long term permeability enhancement of volcanic island hydrogeological systems

AbstractEarthquakes affect near-surface permeability, however temporal permeability evolution quantification is challenging due to the scarcity of observations data. Using thirteen years of groundwater level observations, we highlight clear permeability variations induced by earthquakes in an aquifer and overlaying aquitard. Dynamic stresses, above a threshold value PGV > 0.5 cm s−1, were mostly responsible for these variations. We develop a new model using earth tides responses of water levels between earthquakes. We demonstrate a clear permeability increase of the hydrogeological system, with the permeability of the aquifer increasing 20-fold and that of the aquitard 300-fold over 12 years, induced by fracture creation or fracture unclogging. In addition, we demonstrate unprecedented observations of increase in permeability due to the effect of extreme tropical deluges of rainfall and hurricanes. The water pressure increase induced by the exceptional rainfall events thus act as piston strokes strong enough to unclog congested fractures by colloids, particles or precipitates. Lastly, an analysis of regional permeabilities also highlights a permeability increase over geological timeframes (× 40 per million years), corroborating the trend observed over the last decade. This demonstrates that permeability of aquifers of andesitic volcanic islands, such as the Lesser Antilles, significantly evolve with time due to seismic activity and extreme rainfall.

Download Full-text

The influence of fault reactivation on injection-induced dynamic triggering of permeability evolution

Geophysical Journal International ◽

10.1093/gji/ggaa382 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 223 (3) ◽

pp. 1481-1496

Author(s):

Elif Cihan Yildirim ◽

Kyungjae Im ◽

Derek Elsworth

Keyword(s):

Pore Pressure ◽

Fluid Pressure ◽

Fault Reactivation ◽

Permeability Evolution ◽

Fracture Permeability ◽

Permeability Enhancement ◽

Pressure Pulses ◽

Fracture Sealing ◽

Permeability Increase ◽

Pressure Driven

SUMMARY Mechanisms controlling fracture permeability enhancement during injection-induced and natural dynamic stressing remain unresolved. We explore pressure-driven permeability (k) evolution by step-increasing fluid pressure (p) on near-critically stressed laboratory fractures in shale and schist as representative of faults in sedimentary reservoirs/seals and basement rocks. Fluid is pulsed through the fracture with successively incremented pressure to first examine sub-reactivation permeability response that then progresses through fracture reactivation. Transient pore pressure pulses result in a permeability increase that persists even after the return of spiked pore pressure to the null background level. We show that fracture sealing is systematically reversible with the perturbing pressure pulses and pressure-driven permeability enhancement is eminently reproducible even absent shear slip and in the very short term (order of minutes). These characteristics of the observed fracture sealing following a pressure perturbation appear similar to those of the response by rate-and-state frictional healing upon stress/velocity perturbations. Dynamic permeability increase scales with the pore pressure magnitude and fracture sealing controls the following per-pulse permeability increase, both in the absence and presence of reactivation. However, initiation of the injection-induced reactivation results in a significant increase in the rate of permeability enhancement (dk/dp). These results demonstrate the role of frictional healing and sealing of fractures at interplay with other probable processes in pore pressure-driven permeability stimulation, such as particle mobilization.

Download Full-text

Mechanism of Permeability Evolution for Reservoir Sandstone with Different Physical Properties

Geofluids ◽

10.1155/2018/5327895 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Xianshan Liu ◽

Ming Xu ◽

Ke Wang

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Water Pressure ◽

Great Influence ◽

Confining Pressure ◽

Permeability Evolution ◽

Mechanical Coupling ◽

Reservoir Permeability ◽

Reservoir Sandstones ◽

Permeability Increase ◽

Distinct Features

Permeability of sandstones with different properties taken from Chongqing reservoirs has been measured and deeply discussed under increasing deviatoric stress. Corresponding to the distinct features in the stress-strain behaviors, the permeability of sandstones is found to evolve with a clear permeability decrease in the initial closure region, a constant permeability value in the elastic region, a permeability increase in the crack initiation and propagation region, a sharp permeability increase in the crack growth region, and a decrease permeability in the residual stage. The results also show that the variation patterns of permeability are similar for two reservoir sandstones under combination of confining pressure and water pressure; however, the strength and permeability are smaller for the sandstone with mud than that without mud, deeply indicating that mud-like materials have a relatively great impact on the mechanical properties and permeability, so mud components cannot be ignored for prediction of reservoir permeability. Furthermore, a statistical damage constitutive model considering hydraulic-mechanical coupling process is presented to calculate the damage variable D, illustrating that larger water pressure will result in a relatively smaller damage variables D and corresponding maximum, which explains that the permeability increases more rapidly and is larger for the sandstone without mud than that with mud, and sandstone damage related to corresponding circumferential crack strain and permeability has been investigated, also implying the evolution mechanism of permeability for two sandstones with different physical properties. Therefore, it is worth pointing out that rock physical properties have a great influence on the reservoir permeability under complex extraction conditions and cannot be ignored, which is necessary to improve the recovery ratio and productivity.

Download Full-text

Interaction between water pressure in the basal drainage system and discharge from an Alpine glacier before and during a rainfall-induced subglacial hydrological event

Annals of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/s0260305500012325 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 24 ◽

pp. 288-292 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrew P. Barrett ◽

David N. Collins

Keyword(s):

Water Level ◽

Water Pressure ◽

Drainage System ◽

Water Levels ◽

Drainage Network ◽

Alpine Glacier ◽

Hydraulic Conditions ◽

Borehole Water ◽

Progressive Growth ◽

Resultant Increase

Combined measurements of meltwater discharge from the portal and of water level in a borehole drilled to the bed of Findelengletscher, Switzerland, were obtained during the later part of the 1993 ablation season. A severe storm, lasting from 22 through 24 September, produced at least 130 mm of precipitation over the glacier, largely as rain. The combined hydrological records indicate periods during which the basal drainage system became constricted and water storage in the glacier increased, as well as phases of channel growth. During the storm, water pressure generally increased as water backed up in the drainage network. Abrupt, temporary falls in borehole water level were accompanied by pulses in portal discharge. On 24 September, whilst borehole water level continued to rise, water started to escape under pressure with a resultant increase in discharge. As the drainage network expanded, a large amount of debris was flushed from a wide area of the bed. Progressive growth in channel capacity as discharge increased enabled stored water to drain and borehole water level to fall rapidly. Possible relationships between observed borehole water levels and water pressures in subglacial channels are influenced by hydraulic conditions at the base of the hole, distance between the hole and a channel, and the nature of the substrate.

Download Full-text

Flood Inundation Assessment in the Low-Lying River Basin Considering Extreme Rainfall Impacts and Topographic Vulnerability

Water ◽

10.3390/w13070896 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 896

Author(s):

Thanh Thu Nguyen ◽

Makoto Nakatsugawa ◽

Tomohito J. Yamada ◽

Tsuyoshi Hoshino

Keyword(s):

River Basin ◽

Extreme Rainfall ◽

Flood Damage ◽

Water Levels ◽

Flood Inundation ◽

Inundation Area ◽

Inundation Depth ◽

Study Results ◽

Inundation Duration ◽

Short Time

This study aims to evaluate the change in flood inundation in the Chitose River basin (CRB), a tributary of the Ishikari River, considering the extreme rainfall impacts and topographic vulnerability. The changing impacts were assessed using a large-ensemble rainfall dataset with a high resolution of 5 km (d4PDF) as input data for the rainfall–runoff–inundation (RRI) model. Additionally, the prediction of time differences between the peak discharge in the Chitose River and peak water levels at the confluence point intersecting the Ishikari River were improved compared to the previous study. Results indicate that due to climatic changes, extreme river floods are expected to increase by 21–24% in the Ishikari River basin (IRB), while flood inundation is expected to be severe and higher in the CRB, with increases of 24.5, 46.5, and 13.8% for the inundation area, inundation volume, and peak inundation depth, respectively. Flood inundation is likely to occur in the CRB downstream area with a frequency of 90–100%. Additionally, the inundation duration is expected to increase by 5–10 h here. Moreover, the short time difference (0–10 h) is predicted to increase significantly in the CRB. This study provides useful information for policymakers to mitigate flood damage in vulnerable areas.

Download Full-text

Analysis of Pore Water Pressure and Piping of Hydraulic Well

Water ◽

10.3390/w13040502 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 502

Author(s):

Jinman Kim ◽

Heuisoo Han ◽

Yoonhwa Jin

Keyword(s):

Numerical Analysis ◽

Water Level ◽

Pore Water ◽

Large Scale ◽

Pore Water Pressure ◽

Water Pressure ◽

Hydraulic Gradient ◽

Water Levels ◽

Seepage Velocity ◽

Seepage Analysis

This paper shows the results of a field appliance study of the hydraulic well method to prevent embankment piping, which is proposed by the Japanese Matsuyama River National Highway Office. The large-scale embankment experiment and seepage analysis were conducted to examine the hydraulic well. The experimental procedure is focused on the pore water pressure. The water levels of the hydraulic well were compared with pore water pressure data, which were used to look over the seepage variations. Two different types of large-scale experiments were conducted according to the installation points of hydraulic wells. The seepage velocity results by the experiment were almost similar to those of the analyses. Further, the pore water pressure oriented from the water level variations in the hydraulic well showed similar patterns between the experiment and numerical analysis; however, deeper from the surface, the larger pore water pressure of the numerical analysis was calculated compared to the experimental values. In addition, the piping effect according to the water level and location of the hydraulic well was quantitatively examined for an embankment having a piping guide part. As a result of applying the hydraulic well to the point where piping occurred, the hydraulic well with a 1.0 m water level reduced the seepage velocity by up to 86%. This is because the difference in the water level between the riverside and the protected side is reduced, and it resulted in reducing the seepage pressure. As a result of the theoretical and numerical hydraulic gradient analysis according to the change in the water level of the hydraulic well, the hydraulic gradient decreased linearly according to the water level of the hydraulic well. From the results according to the location of the hydraulic well, installation of it at the point where piping occurred was found to be the most effective. A hydraulic well is a good device for preventing the piping of an embankment if it is installed at the piping point and the proper water level of the hydraulic well is applied.

Download Full-text

Direct Measurement of Basal Water Pressures: a Pilot Study

Journal of Glaciology ◽

10.1017/s0022143000031543 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 16 (74) ◽

pp. 205-218 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

Steven M. Hodge

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Direct Measurement ◽

Water Pressure ◽

Water System ◽

Water Levels ◽

Hole Drilling ◽

Glacier Surface ◽

Term Trend ◽

Long Term Trend

AbstractBore-hole drilling techniques have been used to connect with the subglacial water system of the temperate South Cascade Glacier. The water level in a connecting bore hole probably represents a direct measurement of the basal water pressure over an area at least to m in extent. Fluctuations of up to 40 m in bore-hole water levels occur typically over periods of several days and often peak about 2 d after large changes in water input at the glacier surface. The long-term trend in bore-hole water levels supports the idea of seasonal storage and release of liquid water.

Download Full-text

A comparative survey of the impacts of extreme rainfall in two international case studies

10.5194/nhess-2017-125 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Matthieu Spekkers ◽

Viktor Rözer ◽

Annegret Thieken ◽

Marie-Claire ten Veldhuis ◽

Heidi Kreibich

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Online Survey ◽

Residential Buildings ◽

Age Groups ◽

Extreme Rainfall ◽

Water Levels ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Biased Sampling ◽

Wide Range ◽

Damage Data

Abstract. Flooding is assessed as the most important natural hazard in Europe, causing thousands of deaths, affecting millions of people and accounting for large economic losses in the past decade. Little is known about the damage processes associated with extreme rainfall in cities, due to a lack of accurate, comparable and consistent damage data. The objective of this study is to investigate the impacts of extreme rainfall on residential buildings and how affected households coped with these impacts in terms of precautionary and emergency actions. Analyses are based on a unique dataset of damage characteristics and a wide range of potential damage explaining variables at the household level, collected through computer-aided telephone interviews (CATI) and an online survey. Exploratory data analyses based on a total of 859 completed questionnaires in the cities of Münster (Germany) and Amsterdam (the Netherlands) revealed that the uptake of emergency measures is related to characteristics of the hazardous event. In case of high water levels, more efforts are made to reduce damage, while emergency response that aims to prevent damage is less likely to be effective. The difference in magnitude of the events in Münster and Amsterdam in terms of rainfall intensity and water depth, is probably also the most important cause for the differences between the cities in terms of the suffered financial losses. Factors that significantly contributed to damage in at least one of the case studies are water contamination, the presence of a basement in the building and people's awareness of the upcoming event. Moreover, this study confirms conclusions by previous studies that people's experience with damaging events positively correlates with precautionary behaviour. For improving future damage data acquisition, we recommend to include cell-phones in a CATI survey to avoid biased sampling towards certain age groups.

Download Full-text

Combined measurements of Subglacial Water Pressure and Surface Velocity of Findelengletscher, Switzerland: Conclusions about Drainage System and Sliding Mechanism

Journal of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/s0022143000006936 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 32 (110) ◽

pp. 101-119 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Almut Iken ◽

Robert A. Bindschadler

Keyword(s):

Functional Relationship ◽

Water Pressure ◽

Drainage System ◽

High Water ◽

Water Levels ◽

Surface Velocity ◽

Glacier Surface ◽

Measured Velocity ◽

Sliding Mechanism ◽

Velocity Variations

AbstractDuring the snow-melt season of 1982, basal water pressure was recorded in 11 bore holes communicating with the subglacial drainage system. In most of these holes the water levels were at approximately the same depth (around 70 m below surface). The large variations of water pressure, such as diurnal variations, were usually similar at different locations and in phase. In two instances of exceptionally high water pressure, however, systematic phase shifts were observed; a wave of high pressure travelled down-glacier with a velocity of approximately 100 m/h.The glacier-surface velocity was measured at four lines of stakes several times daily. The velocity variations correlated with variations in subglacial water pressure. The functional relationship of water pressure and velocity suggests that fluctuating bed separation was responsible for the velocity variations. The empirical functional relationship is compared to that of sliding over a perfectly lubricated sinusoidal bed. On the basis of the measured velocity-pressure relationship, this model predicts a reasonable value of bed roughness but too high a sliding velocity and unstable sliding at too low a water pressure. The main reason for this disagreement is probably the neglect of friction from debris in the sliding model.The measured water pressure was considerably higher than that predicted by the theory of steady flow through straight cylindrical channels near the glacier bed. Possible reasons are considered. The very large disagreement between measured and predicted pressure suggests that no straight cylindrical channels may have existed.

Download Full-text

Determination of diurnal water level fluctuations in headwaters

Hydrology Research ◽

10.2166/nh.2016.039 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 888-901 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marek Marciniak ◽

Anna Szczucińska

Keyword(s):

Water Temperature ◽

Water Level ◽

Air Temperature ◽

Hyporheic Zone ◽

Water Pressure ◽

Water Levels ◽

Water Level Fluctuations ◽

Diurnal Changes ◽

Atmospheric Conditions ◽

Diurnal Fluctuations

The aim of this paper is to study diurnal fluctuations of the water level in streams draining headwaters and to identify the controlling factors. The fieldwork was carried out in the Gryżynka River catchment, western Poland. The water levels of three streams draining into the headwaters via a group of springs were monitored in the years 2011–2014. Changes in the water pressure and water temperature were recorded by automatic sensors – Schlumberger MiniDiver type. Simultaneously, Barodiver type sensors were used to record air temperature and atmospheric pressure, as it was necessary to adjust the data collected by the MiniDivers calculate the water level. The results showed that diurnal fluctuations in water level of the streams ranged from 2 to 4 cm (approximately 10% of total water depth) and were well correlated with the changes in evapotranspiration as well as air temperature. The observed water level fluctuations likely have resulted from processes occurring in the headwaters. Good correlation with atmospheric conditions indicates control by daily variations of the local climate. However, the relationship with water temperature suggests that fluctuations are also caused by changes in the temperature-dependent water viscosity and, consequently, by diurnal changes in the hydraulic conductivity of the hyporheic zone.

Download Full-text

Strength and permeability evolution of andesite during benchtop acid dissolution experiments: implications for volcanic systems

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-883 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jamie Farquharson ◽

Bastien Wild ◽

Alexandra Kushnir ◽

Michael Heap ◽

Patrick Baud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽

Permeability Evolution ◽

Acid Dissolution ◽

Crater Lakes ◽

Glass Dissolution ◽

Order Of Magnitude ◽

Flow Pathways ◽

Permeability Increase ◽

Chemical Conditions

Acidic crater lakes are common features of subaerial volcanic systems; indeed, research suggests the existence of over 700 volcanic lakes around the world. Their persistence requires a regular input of water (e.g., meteoric water) at a rate that exceeds the migration of fluid from the system&#8212;for example, due to evaporation or fluid flow through the porous edifice.&#160; Flank aquifers and fumarole fields may similarly be strongly acidic environments.In order to explore the evolution of the physical and mechanical properties of an andesite under these field-relevant chemical conditions, we performed batch reaction experiments over timescales from 1 day to 4 months. The experiments involved immersion of a suite of samples in a solution of sulfuric acid (0.125 M; pH &#8764;0.6). Periodically, samples were removed and their physical and mechanical properties measured. We observe a progressive loss of sample mass, along with a general increase in porosity. We attribute this to the dissolution of plagioclase,&#160; accompanied by the generation of a microporous diktytaxitic groundmass due to glass dissolution.Plagioclase phenocrysts are seen to undergo progressive pseudomorphic replacement by an amorphous phase enriched in silica and depleted in other, relatively more soluble, cations (Na, Ca, and Al). In the first phase of dissolution (i.e. between 1 and 10 days), this process appears to be confined to preexisting fractures within the plagioclase phenocrysts. Ultimately, however, these phenocrysts tend toward entire replacement by amorphous silica. We do not observe evidence of induced dissolution or alteration in the other mineral constituents of the material: pyroxene, cristobalite, and titanomagnetite, specifically.Examining the required Klinkenberg corrections during permeability measurements, we quantitatively demonstrate that the relative aperture of flow pathways increases with progressive acid immersion, by as much as a factor of five. We propose that the dissolution process results in the widening of pore throats and the improvement of pore connectivity, with the effect of increasing permeability by over an order of magnitude relative to the initial measurements. Compressive strength of our samples was also decreased, insofar as porosity tends to increase.We highlight broader implications of the observed permeability increase and strength reduction for volcanic systems including induced flank failure and related hazards, improved efficiency of volatile migration, and attendant eruption implications.

Download Full-text