Changes in geyser eruption behavior and remotely triggered seismicity in Yellowstone National Park produced by the 2002 M 7.9 Denali fault earthquake, Alaska

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 2004 Changes in geyser eruption behavior and remotely triggered seismicity in Yellowstone National Park produced by the 2002 M 7.9 Denali fault earthquake, Alaska S. Husen; S. Husen 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. Taylor; R. Taylor 2National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R.B. Smith; R.B. Smith 3Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar H. Healser H. Healser 4National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information S. Husen 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA R. Taylor 2National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190, USA R.B. Smith 3Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA H. Healser 4National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 03 Dec 2003 Revision Received: 05 Feb 2004 Accepted: 17 Feb 2004 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2004) 32 (6): 537–540. https://doi.org/10.1130/G20381.1 Article history Received: 03 Dec 2003 Revision Received: 05 Feb 2004 Accepted: 17 Feb 2004 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation S. Husen, R. Taylor, R.B. Smith, H. Healser; Changes in geyser eruption behavior and remotely triggered seismicity in Yellowstone National Park produced by the 2002 M 7.9 Denali fault earthquake, Alaska. Geology 2004;; 32 (6): 537–540. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G20381.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Following the 2002 M 7.9 Denali fault earthquake, clear changes in geyser activity and a series of local earthquake swarms were observed in the Yellowstone National Park area, despite the large distance of 3100 km from the epicenter. Several geysers altered their eruption frequency within hours after the arrival of large-amplitude surface waves from the Denali fault earthquake. In addition, earthquake swarms occurred close to major geyser basins. These swarms were unusual compared to past seismicity in that they occurred simultaneously at different geyser basins. We interpret these observations as being induced by dynamic stresses associated with the arrival of large-amplitude surface waves. We suggest that in a hydrothermal system dynamic stresses can locally alter permeability by unclogging existing fractures, thereby changing geyser activity. Furthermore, we suggest that earthquakes were triggered by the redistribution of hydrothermal fluids and locally increased pore pressures. Although changes in geyser activity and earthquake triggering have been documented elsewhere, here we present evidence for changes in a hydrothermal system induced by a large-magnitude event at a great distance, and evidence for the important role hydrothermal systems play in remotely triggering seismicity. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.