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Kawabata K, Tsunomori F, Kitamura Y, Lin YY, Chan CH, Ma KF. Radon concentration in seawater as a geochemical indicator of submarine fault activity in the Yatsushiro Sea, Japan. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8664. [PMID: 38622234 PMCID: PMC11018784 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59006-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between radon (222Rn) concentrations in seawater and crustal activity in the Yatsushiro Sea by investigating the submarine fault zone situated at the southern end of the Futagawa-Hinagu fault zone, activated by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake (M7.3). We conducted an analysis of 222Rn concentration in samples of bottom water just above the seafloor and pore water in sediments, utilizing multiple and piston cores from the Hakuho Maru Expedition KH18-3. The findings revealed significantly elevated 222Rn concentrations in the central sites of the Yatsushiro Sea, coinciding with a high-stress field exhibiting dense active faults. Seismicity analysis revealed heightened moment release and a low b-value post the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, indicative of increased seismic activity and the potential for substantial earthquakes in the Yatsushiro Sea vicinity. Our results indicate that heightened concentrations of 222Rn in seawater can serve as an effective tracer for identifying and estimating submarine fault activities. Moreover, our research highlights the utility of 222Rn concentrations in detecting active submarine faults and assessing their activity. It contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the potential for significant earthquakes in the Yatsushiro Sea in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuniyo Kawabata
- Center for General Education, Kagoshima University, 1-21-30 Korimoto, Kagoshima-City, Kagoshima, 890-0082, Japan.
| | - Fumiaki Tsunomori
- Geochemical Research Center, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yujin Kitamura
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, 1-21-35 Korimoto, Kagoshima-City, Kagoshima, 890-0082, Japan
| | - Yen-Yu Lin
- Department of Earth Sciences, National Central University, No.300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli, Taoyuan, 320317, Taiwan
- Earthquake-Disaster and Risk Evaluation and Management (E-DREaM) Center, National Central University, No.300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli, Taoyuan, 320317, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Applied Geology, National Central University, No.300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli, Taoyuan, 320317, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Han Chan
- Department of Earth Sciences, National Central University, No.300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli, Taoyuan, 320317, Taiwan
- Earthquake-Disaster and Risk Evaluation and Management (E-DREaM) Center, National Central University, No.300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli, Taoyuan, 320317, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Applied Geology, National Central University, No.300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli, Taoyuan, 320317, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Fong Ma
- Earthquake-Disaster and Risk Evaluation and Management (E-DREaM) Center, National Central University, No.300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli, Taoyuan, 320317, Taiwan
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, Nangang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
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Huang P, Lv W, Huang R, Luo Q, Yang Y. Earthquake precursors: A review of key factors influencing radon concentration. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2024; 271:107310. [PMID: 37890207 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Many factors influence the accurate identification of radon anomalies triggered by earthquakes to varying degrees. Therefore, this paper primarily provides a comprehensive review of the various factors influencing radon concentrations over the past two decades. In addition to examining the individual effects of these factors on radon concentrations, it explores the interactions among multiple factors, particularly the correlations among radon anomalies and seismic events as well as the environmental context. This review mainly includes the classification of groundwater radon anomalies and their potential formation mechanisms, the environmental impact on radon concentrations, the effects of soil and rock structures on radon migration, and the application of machine learning in detecting radon anomalies induced by earthquakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Huang
- School of Geophysics and Measurement-control Technology, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Lv
- School of Geophysics and Measurement-control Technology, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, People's Republic of China
| | - Rengui Huang
- Jiangxi Earthquake Agency, Nanchang, 330026, People's Republic of China
| | - Qibin Luo
- School of Geophysics and Measurement-control Technology, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaxin Yang
- School of Geophysics and Measurement-control Technology, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, People's Republic of China.
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Study of Surface Emissions of 220Rn (Thoron) at Two Sites in the Campi Flegrei Caldera (Italy) during Volcanic Unrest in the Period 2011–2017. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11135809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The study concerns the analysis of 220Rn (thoron) recorded in the surface soil in two sites of the Campi Flegrei caldera (Naples, Southern Italy) characterized by phases of volcanic unrest in the seven-year period 1 July 2011–31 December 2017. Thoron comes only from the most surface layer, so the characteristics of its time series are strictly connected to the shallow phenomena, which can also act at a distance from the measuring point in these particular areas. Since we measured 220Rn in parallel with 222Rn (radon), we found that by using the same analysis applied to radon, we obtained interesting information. While knowing the limits of this radioisotope well, we highlight only the particular characteristics of the emissions of thoron in the surface soil. Here, we show that it also shows some clear features found in the radon signal, such as anomalies and signal trends. Consequently, we provide good evidence that, in spite of the very short life of 220Rn compared to 222Rn, both are related to the carrier effect of CO2, which has significantly increased in the last few years within the caldera. The hydrothermal alterations, induced by the increase in temperature and pressure of the caldera system, occur in the surface soils and significantly influence thoron’s power of exhalation from the surface layer. The effects on the surface thoron are reflected in both sites, but with less intensity, the same behavior of 222Rn following the increasing movements and fluctuations of the geophysical and geochemical parameters (CO2 flux, fumarolic tremor, background seismicity, soil deformation). An overall linear correlation was found between the 222−220Rn signals, indicating the effect of the CO2 vector. The overall results represent a significant step forward in the use and interpretation of the thoron signal.
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Optimization of dissolved Radon monitoring in groundwater to contribute to the evaluation of the seismic activity: an experience in central-southern Italy. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-3185-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractAnomalies in Radon (222Rn) concentrations prior to earthquakes have been widely documented in seismogenic areas worldwide, but questions about their predictability remain largely unanswered. Even if it is not universally accepted, the analysis of the high-resolution time series of Rn (222Rn) concentrations in groundwater, air and soil has been proposed as a suitable method to identify seismic precursors. This study, which is aimed at identifying potential gas-geochemical precursors to nearby earthquakes, analyses groundwater Rn concentrations, which were continuously measured between April 2017 and December 2019. We conducted a detailed time series analysis of dissolved Rn in two springs emerging along two active fault zones in the inner sector of the central-southern Apennines (i.e. the Matese and Morrone fault zones) in Italy. We used a simple statistical method to identify seismic precursor anomalies in Rn concentrations. Anomalies are commonly assumed as values exceeding ± 2σ. Furthermore, we calculated the strain radius (for which a gas-geochemical precursor was expected) and the epicentral distance (from both our monitoring stations) of each seismic event of Mw ≥ 3.5 that occurred in the monitoring area. Results from our ongoing research are promising and show significant correlations between seismic signals and Rn concentrations. However, longer time series data that include more energetic earthquakes are needed to shed light on the behaviour of this gas in relation to crustal deformation processes.
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