Natural Analogue Study for Geological Sequestration of CO_2 at the Matsushiro Earthquake Fault Zone, Japan: CO_2 Seepage Mechanism

摘要

During the Matsushiro Earthquake Swarm (1965-1967) in central Japan, a huge amount of CO_2-bearing water erupted through newly created surface ruptures above a major fault. This phenomenon is currently under investigation as a natural analogue of CO_2 leakage from geologic storage reservoirs and associated migration through faults. A past study suggested that the upward migration of the water (called a "water eruption") was the main cause of earthquakes in certain stages of the earthquake swarm. Surface geochemical surveys and geomechanics and reactive geochemical transport modelling studies are underway to investigate the role of CO_2 in this unique phenomenon.