Posted on 03/05/2020 5:00:47 AM PST by BenLurkin
Every 14 months, silent earthquakes ever-so-slightly rattle the Cascadia subduction zone, which is capable of producing a magnitude 9.0 earthquake. Now, research shows that these so-called aseismic quakes are tied to fluid moving miles underground.
These findings don't affect what we know about the risk of a dangerous quake in the Cascadia region; that information is well-known from the cycle of stress build-up and release during large earthquakes... A better understanding of the aseismic quakes could eventually help bridge the gap in understanding between this well-observed earthquake cycle and the processes happening deep within the subduction zone.
The inner workings of the fault system, though, are still challenging to understand. Researchers now have sensitive ground instruments that can detect extremely slow, subtle movements deep within the subduction zone, Audet said. These instruments have revealed that parts of the fault between the two subducting plates regularly slip, moving slowly over a period of days or weeks. The slip is too gradual to cause noticeable shaking at the ground level, but it can put pressure on new parts of the fault, raising the risk of large earthquakes.
Researchers also know that the rocks that undergo this slow slip, 25 miles (40 kilometers) down, are saturated with fluid, Audet said. The fluids, trapped within small pores in the rock, are under a great deal of pressure from the rock and Earth above them. This weakens the saturated rock, which may contribute to the slow-slip episodes on the fault.
The finding is the first direct evidence that the fluids in subduction zones move around during slow slip, Audet said. But now, it's a chicken-and-egg question. It's not clear from the available data whether the fluid movements actually trigger the slow quakes, or whether the fluid moves in response to the slipping of the rocks.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
Since lava contains sometimes large amounts of methane, would you say that methane (natural gas) is mostly abiotic? If so why do scientists insist on calling it a “fossil gas”?
I would say that it can be abiotic but not always. Methane is an easy molecule to form, like water. Have you ever walked through a peat bog and seen bubbles rising up? That is methane from organic decomposition. But there is no way oil can come from the bowels if the earth. It is too hot and too much pressure.
So, mostly abiotic. The next question is whether new methane is still being generated? If so, then it is a renewable energy source.
Either way, there is no shortage of methane. We have discovered huge quantities in these shale plays. But with low gas prices, they are not commercial. What we need is oil to make gasoline. And it ain't coming out of the mantle...
I’ll believe it when I see it. Sounds like it will take more energy to create it than what it would output. There is no energy free lunch.
What I don’t do is be a dick, insufferable assholes are a dime a dozen. You add very little to the discussion and take a very unscientific stance that algae can be the only possible reason oil exists. I was a Soldier for 32 years.
You prove the point insufferable assholes are a dime a dozen.
At least I don’t try to lecture someone on a scientific level when the bulk of my argument is from reading Wikipedia or infowars or other such gibberish. Have a nice day! And I’ll buy any barrel of oil that you can get out of the mantle.
bttt
Climate change predictions which never come true but must be believed at all costs. A virus that you don’t know you have and of which you show no symptoms, but which requires you to lock yourself away from society lest you spread your non-symptoms to someone else. And now earthquakes which are silent and you can’t tell occurred.
What will they think of next?
I believe the Russians have it right
But our small minds can only handle one or the other.
Not being critical of you.
Finally
A good cause to get involved
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