Journal articles
Earthquakes produce carbon dioxide in crustal faults
Abstract : Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) micro-analysis of pseudotachylytes (i.e. friction-induced melts produced by seismic slip) from the Nojima fault (Japan) reveals that earthquakes almost instantaneously expel 99 wt% of the wall rock CO2 content. Carbon is exsolved because it is upersaturated in the friction melts. By extrapolation to a crustal-scale fault rupture, large events such as the M7.2 Kobe earthquake (1995) may yield a total production of 1.8 to 3.4 × 103 tons CO2 within a few seconds. This extraordinary release of CO2 can cause a flash fluid pressure increase in the fault plane, and therefore enhance earthquake slip or trigger aftershocks; it may also explain the anomalous discharge of carbon monitored in nearby fault springs after large earthquakes. Because carbon saturation in silicate melts is pressure-dependent, FTIR can be used as a new tool to constrain the maximum depth of pseudotachylyte formation in exhumed faults.
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00197197
Contributor : Pascale Talour <>
Submitted on : Friday, December 14, 2007 - 2:50:27 PM
Last modification on : Wednesday, October 14, 2020 - 4:04:35 AM
Long-term archiving on: : Monday, June 27, 2011 - 5:53:24 PM
Contributor : Pascale Talour <>
Submitted on : Friday, December 14, 2007 - 2:50:27 PM
Last modification on : Wednesday, October 14, 2020 - 4:04:35 AM
Long-term archiving on: : Monday, June 27, 2011 - 5:53:24 PM
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EPSL2007_final.pdf
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