Using Numerical Models of Poroelastic Fluid Flow to Constrain the Permeability Structure of Young Ocean Crust
- Lead PI: Timothy J Crone
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Unit Affiliation: Marine and Polar Geophysics, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO)
- September 2009 - August 2012
- Inactive
- Pacific Ocean
- Project Type: Research
DESCRIPTION: Research will be continued into using numerical models of poroelastic flow to constrain the permeability structure of mid-ocean ridge crust. The project will have three phases: 1) using forward modeling to establish two-dimensional models of permeability structure using an earthquake catalog; 2) conducting an analysis to quantify the influence of other poroelastic parameters to establish uncertainties; and 3) exploring three more high-density earthquake catalogs to search for spatial patterns in tidal triggering that can help constrain permeability structure in other environments.
OUTCOMES: Phase one has been completed. Found that permeability in young ocean crust may vary by several orders of magnitude over horizontal scales of hundreds of meters and these variations likely prescribe the geometry of hydrothermal convection. Found that the TAG hydrothermal mound has a potential hydrological source. Two journal publications.