Anomalous water-level changes and possible relation with earthquakes

Journal Article · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL008i005p00437· OSTI ID:6420756

Merifield, P M; Lamar, D L

Since late 1976 abandoned water wells have been monitored along the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults to detect water-level changes which may be premonitory to earthquakes. An M5.5 earthquake occurred 25 February 1980 within the San Jacinto fault zone near Anza. The water level in a continuously recorded well in Borrego Valley 35 km from the epicenter rose 0.5 m and returned to its prior level during a four-hour period beginning 88 hours before the earthquake. The water level in this well had been remarkably steady compared to other wells being monitored. Another well in Borrego Valley showed a much smaller rise and fall in water level at the same time. Because these changes are unique for the long-term records of these wells, they may represent precursors to the earthquake.

• Research Organization: Lamar-Merifield, 1318 Second Street, Suite 27, Santa Monica, California 90401
• OSTI ID: 6420756
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 8:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
EARTHQUAKES
FORECASTING
PRECURSOR
WATER TABLES
VARIATIONS
CALIFORNIA
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GROUND WATER
SEISMICITY
WELLS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SEISMIC EVENTS
USA
WATER
WESTERN REGION
580201* - Geophysics- Seismology & Tectonics- (1980-1989)