Methane-hydrogen-rich fluid migration may trigger seismic failure in subduction zones at forearc depths.

ABSTRACT: Metamorphic fluids, faults, and shear zones are carriers of carbon from the deep Earth to shallower reservoirs. Some of these fluids are reduced and transport energy sources, like H₂ and light hydrocarbons. Mechanisms and pathways capable of transporting these deep energy sources towards shallower reservoirs remain unidentified. Here we present geological evidence of failure of mechanically strong rocks due to the accumulation of CH₄-H₂-rich fluids at deep forearc depths, which ultimately reached supralithostatic pore fluid pressure. These fluids originated from adjacent reduction of carbonates by H₂-rich fluids during serpentinization at eclogite-to-blueschist-facies conditions. Thermodynamic modeling predicts that the production and accumulatio

SUBMITTER: Giuntoli F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10784519 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature