Earthquakes Trigger Rapid Flash Boiling Front at Optimal Geologic Conditions

Abstract The interplay between seismic activity and fluid flow is essential during the evolution of hydrothermal systems. Although earthquakes can trigger transient fluid flow and phase changes in dilational jogs, the temporal scale and the geologic conditions that enhance such process are poorly quantified. Here, we use numerical simulations of deformation and fluid flow to constrain the conditions that maximize adiabatic boiling—referred to as flashing—and estimate the extent and duration of such process. We show that there is an optimal geometry for a dilational jog that maximizes co‐seismic flashing within the jog. Fluid flow simulations indicate that the duration, intensity, and propagation of the flashing front are limited and highly dependent on the magnitude of the co‐seismic slip and the initial pressure‐enthalpy conditions. Our results are valuable to better understand the implications of pressure fluctuations during the seismogenic cycle, as well the mineralization processes in the Earth's crust.

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Publication Details

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Published
2024-08-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2023gl108109
Citations
3
Primary Topic
earthquake and tectonic studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.60

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article

Earthquakes Trigger Rapid Flash Boiling Front at Optimal Geologic Conditions

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3 citations
Geophysical Research Letters
earthquake and tectonic studies
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article

Earthquakes Trigger Rapid Flash Boiling Front at Optimal Geologic Conditions

Pablo Sánchez-Alfaro, David Dempsey, Martín Reich, Pablo Iturrieta, J. V. Rowland, John O’Sullivan, Irene C. Wallis, José Cembrano
article en
3 citations

Abstract

Abstract The interplay between seismic activity and fluid flow is essential during the evolution of hydrothermal systems. Although earthquakes can trigger transient fluid flow and phase changes in dilational jogs, the temporal scale and the geologic conditions that enhance such process are poorly quantified. Here, we use numerical simulations of deformation and fluid flow to constrain the conditions that maximize adiabatic boiling—referred to as flashing—and estimate the extent and duration of such process. We show that there is an optimal geometry for a dilational jog that maximizes co‐seismic flashing within the jog. Fluid flow simulations indicate that the duration, intensity, and propagation of the flashing front are limited and highly dependent on the magnitude of the co‐seismic slip and the initial pressure‐enthalpy conditions. Our results are valuable to better understand the implications of pressure fluctuations during the seismogenic cycle, as well the mineralization processes in the Earth's crust.

Geophysical Research LettersVol. 51(16)
Universidad de Santiago de Chile (CL), University of Auckland (NZ), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (CL), Austral University of Chile (CL), University of Canterbury (NZ), GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (DE), University of Chile (CL)
Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico, Centro de Excelencia en Geotermia de Los Andes, Fondo de Financiamiento de Centros de Investigación en Áreas Prioritarias
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
earthquake and tectonic studies
1.60
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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