Characteristics and Mechanisms of Co-seismic Groundwater Responses in Tayuan Well

Co-seismic responses of the groundwater level and temperature in the Tayuan well of 68 earthquakes (Ms≥7.0) from January 2004 to September 2007 were analyzed. Results show that the Tayuan well has a strong ability to record large earthquakes worldwide, and the co-seismic response shows a pattern of water level oscillation→temperature decrease→oscillation stop→temperature resumption. Further analyses indicate that the amplitude of the water level and temperature change is not only concerned with the epicenter distance and magnitude, but is also related to the temporal state of aquifer while the seismic wave arrives. Mechanisms of water level oscillation, temperature decrease, water level oscillation stop and temperature resumption are discussed, with the results from previous research on the co-seismic response mechanisms analyzed. These include gas escape, heat diffusion and cold water seepage. Results show that a single mechanism could not explain the co-seismic response of the Tayuan well water level to multiple earthquakes; the results were garnered from a variety of jointly acting mechanisms.