Streamflow response to the Nisqually earthquake

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

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Streamflow, Earthquake, Hydrologic, Liquefaction

Scientific paper

An extensive network of stream gages documents regional streamflow response to the M6.8 Nisqually earthquake wherein almost half of the gages analyzed within 115 km of the epicenter exhibited changes in baseflow within 13 h after the earthquake. Rapid streamflow response indicates that the impetus for the increased discharge originated within 100 m of the water table. Distance to the epicenter explained only 13% of the variance in streamflow response and the maximum modeled ground acceleration within 5 km of each gage location was not correlated with increased streamflow. Of those rivers that responded, post-seismic increases in discharge were correlated with pre-earthquake discharge; larger rivers exhibited greater absolute increases in streamflow. Analysis of baseflow recession in the periods 1 month before and 1 month after the earthquake indicates no systematic detectable changes in aquifer properties. Locations with seismically induced increases in streamflow were closer to the epicenter than an empirical limit to the area susceptible to liquefaction based on observations reported for previous earthquakes. In addition, the spatial pattern of streamflow response corresponds to the pattern of near-surface volumetric strain, with decreased streamflow in areas that dilated and substantial increases in streamflow in areas of greatest compression and subsidence. Together these observations suggest that settling and compaction of surficial deposits of the Seattle Basin and liquefaction of partially saturated valley-bottom deposits were responsible for post-seismic increases in streamflow. Compilation of distance-magnitude data for streamflow responses to a wide range of earthquakes show that streamflow changes generally occur in areas susceptible to liquefaction.

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