Energy taken up by co-seismic chemical reactions during a large earthquake: An example from the 1999 Taiwan Chi-Chi earthquak
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Journal Volume
36
Journal Issue
6
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Abstract
Frictional heat in a fault zone during earthquake slip transiently induces chemical reactions that may use energy released during the earthquake. We estimated the energy used by such reactions (Ec) by a numerical analysis incorporating frictional heat, thermal diffusion, chemical kinetics, and energy conservation, and found that Ec has an auto-feedback effect that inhibits temperature rise in fault zone. During the 1999 Taiwan Chi-Chi earthquake, estimated Ec was 0.43 MJ/m2, corresponding to 0.79% of the frictional heat generated. This low percentage probably reflects the low initial concentrations of reactive materials. However, in the case of a fault with abundant reactive materials, Ec could reach >50% of the frictional heat and the auto-feedback effect could be large. At this case Ec is a nonnegligible component on earthquake energy budget and can affect fault mechanics. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.
SDGs
Other Subjects
Chemical kinetics; ChiChi earthquake; Earthquake energy budget; Earthquake slip; Fault zone; Feedback effects; Frictional heat; Initial concentration; Reactive materials; Temperature rise; Earthquakes; Energy conservation; Friction; Synthesis (chemical); Thermal effects; Grafting (chemical); Chi-Chi earthquake 1999; coseismic process; energy budget; energy conservation; fault zone; numerical model; reaction kinetics; slip; Asia; Eurasia; Far East; Taiwan
Type
journal article