Origin of Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide in Fault Gases and Its Relation to Fault Activity

Abstract

Gases occluded in fracture zones of active faults are characterized by a high concentration of $$H_{2}$$ and/or $$CO_{2}$$. A predominant gas species-$$H_{2}$$ or $$CO_{2}$$-is related to the lithofacies which the fault cuts. Carbon dioxide concentration in sediments fluctuates with temperature. This evidence and $$\sigma ^{13}C$$ of$$CO_{2}$$ (about -20‰) suggests that $$CO_{2}$$ originates from organic materials. Carbon dioxide with $$\sigma ^{13}C$$ of 5‰ to - 17‰ in brecciated gneiss containing marble may have been produced by interaction between organically derived $$CO_{2}$$ and the marble, or alternatively, may have been magmatically derived. Hydrogen usually occurs in sheared silicate rocks, and its concentration fluctuates a great deal. The concentration of $$H_{2}$$ from active faults associated with historical earthquakes usually amounts to as high as several percent in maximum, whereas the concentration of $$H_{2}$$ from Quaternary faults not associated with historical earthquakes is at most 100 ppm. Laboratory experiments showed that much $$H_{2}$$ is generated from paste made of newly pulverized rocks and water, suggesting that the fresh mineral surface formed by tectonic stresses reacts with groundwater to produce $$H_{2}$$. Since the mineral surface loses its activity with time, discrimination between recently moved faults and other Quaternary faults can be made by the $$H_{2}$$ concentration. Hydrogen isotope thermometer, as well as field evidence, suggests a deep seated origin of $$H_{2}$$ in an active fault. Hydrogen measurements at monitoring stations offer information at depth on mechanisms that operate prior to earthquakes.