Collaborative Research: Modeling of Earthquake-Related Pore Pressure Changes and Fluid Flow in Subduction Zones: Implications for Planning of Drilling and Long-Term Observatories

University Of Florida, Gainesville FL

Investigators

Abstract

This project will study the hydrodynamic response of subduction zones to seismic events by using an analytical model of coseismic pore pressure generation and a numerical model of fluid flow following an earthquake. The results will help make better use of pore pressures as strain indicators. As observatories that monitor pore pressure are established in subduction zones, it will be necessary to understand how pressure changes will vary with deformation style and magnitude, how flow systems will respond to seismic events, and how thermal or geochemical anomalies may be generated by coseismic deformation. The results will also help determine what drilling and monitoring strategies will yield the greatest information concerning deformation and fluid flow in subduction complexes.