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Abstract Brine samples from the wells in the Kashio mineral spring (an “Arima-type” hot spring at Ooshika-Mura, central Japan) were analyzed to determine the original chemical and isotopic compositions of the deep brine end-member before its dilution by meteoric water and to elucidate the origin of the end-member. The trends of variation between Cl, δD, and δ18O indicated the existence of a two-component mixing system and a systematic variation in the mixing ratio, which were mentioned in previous studies. By carefully tracking the variation in tritium (3H) and atmospheric noble gas in the brine, the Cl concentration in the end-member was determined to be 24,000 mg/L. This value is consistent with the result of previous studies. Based on the estimated composition and other related data, we inferred that the end-member originated from slab-derived fluid, which in turn may have undergone oxygen isotope exchange reactions with minerals. Although both the Arima and Kashio brines are considered to be derived from fluid dehydrated from the Philippine Sea slab, the chemical and isotopic compositions of the Kashio end-member are different from those of the Arima end-member. In particular, the Kashio end-member is characterized by low Cl concentration (~ 40% lower than that in the Arima end-member), low hydrogen isotope ratio, and low 3He/4He ratio (1.4 Ra). These results indicate that the chemical and isotopic compositions of the slab-derived fluid are different for each location. The significant difference in δD could reflect the difference in the dehydration depth. Finally, the low temperature and relatively low 3He/4He ratio of the brine end-member could be explained by its long residence time within the crust.

Abstract Hot spring discharge was linked to the 2011 Mw 6.6 Iwaki earthquake. Periodic surveys revealed that the discharge continued for more than 7 years, which is a rare and valuable long-term record of hot spring discharge triggered by an earthquake in a non-volcanic area. In terms of coseismic changes, based on a comparison of the spatial distribution of changes in the coseismic water head and calculated crustal volumetric strain using a fault model, hot spring water discharge was found to be caused by a change in the coseismic crustal volumetric strain. As for the postseismic changes, observations over 7 years revealed a gradual rise in the temperature and chloride ion concentration of the hot spring water. Such long-term hot spring discharge may be explained by the following two causes: the rise of thermal water from the deep part and the permeability changes along the hot spring channels.

A geochemical investigation was undertaken at Mt. Etna Volcano to better define groundwater characteristics of its aquifers. Results indicate that the Na–Mg ± Ca–HCO3− ± (SO42− or Cl−) type accounts for more than 80% of the groundwater composition in the volcano. The remaining 20% is characterized by elevated Ca2+. Waters along coastal areas are enriched in SO42− or Cl−, mainly due to mixing with seawater and anthropogenic effects. The majority of the samples showed values between −4‰ to −9‰ for δ18O and −19‰ to −53‰ for δ2H, suggesting that precipitation is the predominant source of recharge to the aquifers, especially in the west of the study area. The analysis of δ13C and pCO2 shows values 1 to 3 times higher than those expected for waters in equilibrium with the atmosphere, suggesting a partial gas contribution from deep sources. The diffusion of gasses is likely to be controlled by tectonic structures in the volcano. The ascent of deep brines is also reflected in the CO2 enrichment (up to 2.2 bars) and enriched δ2H/δ18O compositions observed in the salt mounts of Paternò.

In 1998, there were many volcanic earthquakes recorded at Iwate volcano, Japan. Although an eruption was anticipated, it never occurred. Fumarolic gases were sampled at the volcano on six occasions during 1998 and 1999, and were analyzed for their chemical compositions and isotope ratios. The fumarolic gases were again sampled in 2004 and 2006, after the period of seismic activity. The HCl concentrations and isotope ratios of the H2O in the gas samples collected from an active geothermal area at the volcano were high in 1998 and 1999, but decreased significantly after 2004, irrespective of the relatively stable concentrations of CO2 and sulfur-bearing gases. A notable feature of the fumarolic gases is the high isotope ratio of H2O, similar to that of pure magmatic gas, which is typical of andesitic volcanoes, although the temperature at the outlet was less than 146°C in the present case. These features can be explained if the enthalpy of the magmatic gas was equivalent to that of water vapor at 252°C to 370°C under a pressure of 1 bar. The correlations observed among CO2/H2O and HCl/H2O, and the δ18O values of the fumarolic gases suggest partial condensation of H2O vapor during the ascent of the volcanic gas to the surface. The estimated CO2/H2O molar ratio of the magmatic gas was 0.008, which is less than the 0.03 reported previously for magmatic gas sampled during an effusive eruption at Unzen volcano, Japan. These data suggest that the magma at Iwate volcano is depleted in volatiles, because CO2 is preferentially degassed from the silicate melt relative to H2O. Such depletion in CO2 might explain the failed eruption at Iwate volcano in 1998.

Large earthquakes sometimes trigger local seismicity that is distal to their rupture zones. Various mechanisms for this triggered seismicity have been proposed, based on either the static stress change or ground shaking from seismic waves, but local geological structure is rarely studied to discern why this seismicity is remotely induced. We present the results of a joint three-dimensional resistivity and isotopic analysis of the groundwater system surrounding Mount Fuji, Japan, where increased seismicity was observed following the A.D. 2011 Tohoku- Oki megathrust earthquake. An electrically conductive zone and high concentrations of magmatic gases (He and CO2) correspond to the zone of triggered seismicity. In contrast, a contribution of magmatic water is not suggested from ²H (deuterium, D) and 18O isotope ratios. These results suggest that the earthquakes were triggered within a fractured zone through which magmatic gases preferentially migrated. We hypothesize that the upwelling of gas-rich hydrous fluids and/or gas bubbles occurred along this fracture pathway, causing an increase in the pore pressure and triggering the resultant earthquake sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]