Publication Date:
2019-12-13
Description:
A seismic sequence in central Italy from August 2016 to January 2017 affected groundwater dynamics in fractured
carbonate aquifers. Changes in spring discharge, water-table position, and streamflow were recorded for several months
following nine Mw 5.0–6.5 seismic events. Data from 22 measurement sites, located within 100 km of the epicentral
zones, were analyzed. The intensity of the induced changes were correlated with seismic magnitude and distance to
epicenters. The additional post-seismic discharge from rivers and springs was found to be higher than 9 m3/s, totaling
more than 0.1 km3 of groundwater release over 6 months. This huge and unexpected contribution increased streamflow
in narrow mountainous valleys to previously unmeasured peak values. Analogously to the L’Aquila 2009 postearthquake
phenomenon, these hydrogeological changes might reflect an increase of bulk hydraulic conductivity at
the aquifer scale, which would increase hydraulic heads in the discharge zones and lower them in some recharge areas.
The observed changes may also be partly due to other mechanisms, such as shaking and/or squeezing effects related to
intense subsidence in the core of the affected area, where effects had maximum extent, or breaching of hydraulic
barriers.
Description:
Published
Description:
1009–1026
Description:
2T. Deformazione crostale attiva
Description:
JCR Journal
Keywords:
Earthquake
;
Groundwater monitoring
;
Italy
;
Co-seismic effects
;
Carbonate rocks
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
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