Change in Fault Zone Permeability Due to Seismic Vibrations

Gevorg Kocharyan; Ivan Shatunov; Ella Gorbunova; S. Kishkina

doi:10.2205/2026ES001150

VAK Russia 1.6 UDC 550.8.01 CSCSTI 37.01 Russian Classification of Professions by Education 05.00.00 Russian Library and Bibliographic Classification 26 Russian Trade and Bibliographic Classification 63 BISAC SCI UDC 550.34.016 UDC 550.394 UDC 55 UDC 550.34 UDC 550.383 CSCSTI 37.15 CSCSTI 37.25 CSCSTI 37.31 CSCSTI 38.01 CSCSTI 36.00 CSCSTI 37.00 CSCSTI 38.00 CSCSTI 39.00 CSCSTI 52.00

21 more Collapse

CHANGE IN FAULT ZONE PERMEABILITY DUE TO SEISMIC VIBRATIONS Change in Fault Zone Permeability Due to Seismic Vibrations

АА Аа

Published in Russian Journal of Earth Sciences · Volume 26, Issue 4 · ELocator: ES4005 · Rubric: ORIGINAL ARTICLES

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2205/2026ES001150 · EDN: GTTIQA

Received: 01.06.2026 Accepted: 15.06.2026 Published: 20.10.2026

Authors

Gevorg Kocharyan

ORCID SPIN

Ivan Shatunov

ORCID SPIN

Ella Gorbunova

ORCID

S. Kishkina

ORCID Scopus ResearcherID SPIN

Gevorg Kocharyan

Sadovsky Institute of Geospheres Dynamics of Russian Academy of Sciences (IDG RAS) Russian Federation · Moscow

ORCID SPIN

Ivan Shatunov

Sadovsky Institute of Geospheres Dynamics of Russian Academy of Sciences (IDG RAS) Russian Federation

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University) Russian Federation · Dolgoprudnyy

ORCID SPIN

Ella Gorbunova

Sadovsky Institute of Geospheres Dynamics of Russian Academy of Sciences (IDG RAS) Russian Federation

ORCID

S. Kishkina

Sadovsky Institute of Geospheres Dynamics of Russian Academy of Sciences (IDG RAS) Russian Federation

ORCID Scopus ResearcherID SPIN

ABSTRACT

The prediction of emergency situations arising from water breakthroughs during the development of solid mineral deposits or during the construction of large underground structures is very difficult due to the high heterogeneity of filtration properties of the rock mass and the uncertainty of hydrogeological characteristics of fault zones, which are the main pathways for fluid flow. This paper studies several mechanisms of changes in the hydraulic characteristics of fault zones under the influence of seismic vibrations. We use observational data obtained during large underground explosions in rock masses as an experimental basis. The study analyzed unique archival materials obtained at the Institute of Geosphere Dynamics of the Russian Academy of Sciences during the preparation and execution of large-scale underground explosions conducted by the USSR at the Semipalatinsk Test Site (now the Republic of Kazakhstan) and at several mining enterprises in Russia. As a result, cases of predominance of different mechanisms of permeability change have been distinguished across a wide range of dynamic loads. The analysis performed has led to the conclusion that even relatively weak dynamic impacts can cause a noticeable hydrogeological response. Moreover, this occurs not due to the formation of new filtration pathways, but due to “clearing” the already existing fracture-pore space.

KEYWORDS

tectonic fault, seismic effect of explosion, slow Biot waves, colloids, pore pressure, permeability, filtration properties, unclogging

Funding

This work was fulfilled under the State Assignment of the Institute of Geosphere Dynamics, Russian Academy of Sciences (IDG RAS).

Text

Text (PDF)

Read Download

1. Adushkin V. V. and Spivak A. A. Underground explosions. — M. : Nauka, 2007. — 579 p. — (In Russian).

2. Baryakh A. A. and Evseev A. V. Closure of potash and salt mines: Review and analysis of the problem // Mining informational and analytical bulletin (Scientific and technical journal). — 2019. — Vol. 9. — P. 5–29. — https://doi.org/10.25018/0236-1493-2019-09-0-5-29 — (In Russian).

3. Budkov A. M., Kocharyan G. G. and Kishkina S. B. Assessment of Change in Rock Mass Permeability in the Vicinity of Underground Explosion from Experimental Data and Numerical Modeling // Journal of Mining Science. — 2023. — Vol. 59, no. 1. — P. 8–16. — https://doi.org/10.1134/s1062739123010027 — (In Russian).

4. Komashchenko V. I., Vasil’ev P. I. and Maslennikov S. A. Dependable raw materials base for underground mining the KMA deposits // Izvestija Tulskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta. Nauki o Zemle. — 2016. — No. 2. — P. 101–114. — (In Russian).

5. Kocharyan G. G., Benedik A. L., Kostyuchenko V. N., et al. The experience in affecting the fractured collector by the low-amplitude seismic vibration // Geoekologiya. Inzhenernaya Geologiya, Gidrogeologiya, Geokriologiya. — 2004. — No. 4. — P. 367–377. — (In Russian).

6. Kocharyan G. G., Vinogradov E. A., Gorbunova E. M., et al. Hydrologic response of underground reservoirs to seismic vibrations // Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth. — 2011. — Vol. 47, no. 12. — P. 1071–1082. — https://doi.org/10.1134/s1069351311120068

7. Kocharyan G. G., Kulikov V. I. and Pavlov D. V. Impact of Massive Blasts on Stability of Tectonic Faults // Journal of Mining Science. — 2019. — Vol. 55, no. 6. — P. 905–913. — https://doi.org/10.1134/s1062739119066283 — (In Russian).

8. Kocharyan G. G. and Spivak A. A. Deformation dynamics of block rock masses. — M. : Akademkniga, 2003. — 423 p. — (In Russian).

9. Kocharyan G. G. and Shatunov I. V. Topical Issues in Hydrogeology of Seismogenic Fault Zones // Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth. — 2024. — Vol. 60, no. 4. — P. 681–703. —https://doi.org/10.1134/s1069351324700575

10. Lomize G. M. Filtration in fractured rocks. — M.; L. : Gosudarstvennoe energeticheskoe izdatel’stvo, 1951. — 127 p. — (In Russian).

11. Osipov V. I., Sokolov V. N. and Eremeev V. V. Clay seals of oil and gas fields. — M. : Nauka, 2001. — 238 p. — (In Russian).

12. Panteleev I. A., Lozhkin D. V., Lyakhovskii V., et al. Nature of the Anisotropic Response of a Fluid Saturated Medium to Surface Seismic Wave Propagation // Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth. — 2025. — Vol. 61, no. 2. — P. 224–235. — https://doi.org/10.1134/s1069351325700223

13. Petrov N. A., Korenyako A. V., Davydova I. N., et al. Drilling mud treatment when drilling wells with a horizontal termination // Neftegazovoe delo. — 2007. — No. 1. — P. 97–107. — (In Russian).

14. Rodionov V. N., Adushkin V. V., Kostyuchenko V. N., et al. Mechanical effect of an underground explosion / ed. by M. A. Sadovskii. — M. : Nedra, 1971. — 224 p. — (In Russian).

15. Serdyukov S. V. and Azarov A. V. Excitation of Seismic Vibrations in Fractures by Water Flow and Determination of the Flow Parameters Using the Seismic Radiation Patterns // Journal of Mining Science. — 2021. — Vol. 57, no. 5. — P. 728–739. — https://doi.org/10.1134/s1062739121050033

16. Spivak A. A. Assessment of rock mass disturbance from the results of filtration tests // Gornyi zhurnal. — 1980. — No. 5. — P. 29–33. — (In Russian).

17. Shatunov I. V., Kocharyan G. G. and Ostapchuk A. A. Change in Permeability in Fault Zones under Impact of Seismic Waves Induced by Massive Blasts // Journal of Mining Science. — 2025. — Vol. 61, no. 5. — P. 723–737. — https://doi.org/10.1134/s1062739125050047

18. Barbosa N. D., Solazzi S. G. and Lupi M. Seismically induced unclogging in fluid-saturated faults // Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. — 2020. — Vol. 125, no. 8. — e2020JB020152. — https://doi.org/10.1029/2020jb020152

19. Bergendahl J. and Grasso D. Prediction of colloid detachment in a model porous media: hydrodynamics // Chemical Engineering Science. — 2000. — Vol. 55, no. 9. — P. 1523–1532. — https://doi.org/10.1016/s0009-2509(99)00422-4

20. Biot M. A. Mechanics of deformation and acoustic propagation in porous media // Journal of Applied Physics. — 1962. — Vol. 33, no. 4. — P. 1482–1498. — https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1728759

21. Brodsky E., Roeloffs E., Woodcock D., et al. A mechanism for sustained groundwater pressure changes induced by distant earthquakes // Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. — 2003. — Vol. 108, B8. — P. 2390–2400. — https://doi.org/10.1029/2002jb002321

22. Candela T., Brodsky E. E., Marone C., et al. Laboratory evidence for particle mobilization as a mechanism for permeability enhancement via dynamic stressing // Earth and Planetary Science Letters. — 2014. — Vol. 392. — P. 279–291. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2014.02.025

23. Coussot P. Structural Similarity and Transition from Newtonian to Non-Newtonian Behavior for Clay-Water Suspensions // Physical Review Letters. — 1995. — Vol. 74, no. 20. — P. 3971–3974. — https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.74.3971

24. Elkhoury E., Brodsky E. and Agnew D. Seismic waves increase permeability // Nature. — 2006. — Vol. 441, no. 7097. — P. 1135–1138. — https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04798

25. Liu X., Jiang X., Liu J., et al. The effect of the injection salinity and clay composition on aquifer permeability // Applied Thermal Engineering. — 2017. — Vol. 118. — P. 551–560. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.02.098

26. Matsumoto N. Regression analysis for anomalous changes of ground water level due to earthquakes // Geophysical Research Letters. — 1992. — Vol. 19, no. 12. — P. 1193–1196. — https://doi.org/10.1029/92gl01042

27. Roberts P. M. Laboratory observations of altered porous fluid flow behavior in Berea sandstone induced by low-frequency dynamic stress stimulation // Acoustical Physics. — 2005. — Vol. 51, S1. — S140–S148. — https://doi.org/10.1134/1.2133962

28. Roeloffs E. A. Persistent water level changes in a well near Parkfield, California, due to local and distant earthquakes // Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. — 1998. — Vol. 103, B1. — P. 869–889. — https://doi.org/10.1029/97jb02335

29. Santucci de Magistris F., Lanzano G., Forte G., et al. A database for PGA threshold in liquefaction occurrence // Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering. — 2013. — Vol. 54. — P. 17–19. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2013.07.011

30. Sibson R. Implications of fault-valve behaviour for rupture nucleation and recurrence // Tectonophysics. — 1992. — Vol. 211, no. 1–4. — P. 283–293. — https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90065-e

31. Voznesensky E. A. and Kushnareva E. S. Seismic liquefaction of soils: engineering evaluation and classification // Engineering Geology World. — 2012. — No. 4. — P. 11–23.

32. Wang C., Chia Y., Wang P., et al. Role of S waves and Love waves in coseismic permeability enhancement // Geophysical Research Letters. — 2009. — Vol. 36, no. 9. — P. L09404. — https://doi.org/10.1029/2009gl037330

33. Yan X., Shi Z., Wang C.-Y., et al. Violent Groundwater Eruption Triggered by a Distant Earthquake // Geophysical Research Letters. — 2022. — Vol. 49, no. 23. — https://doi.org/10.1029/2022gl101239

This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

PDF JATS XML

Chief Editor

Alexei Gvishiani

rjes@wdcb.ru

Deputy Chief Editor

Boris Dzeboev

rjes@wdcb.ru

Managing Editor

Ernest Kedrov

ernest.kedrov@ya.ru

Responsible Secretary

Natalya Kareva

rjes@wdcb.ru

downloads

This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Creative Commons

GOST

Kocharyan G. G., Shatunov I. V., Gorbunova E. M., Kishkina S. B. Change in Fault Zone Permeability Due to Seismic Vibrations // Russian Journal of Earth Sciences. 2026. no. 4. ES4005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2205/2026ES001150. EDN: GTTIQA. (Date of access 22.10.2026).

MLA

Gevorg Kocharyan, Shatunov I. V., Gorbunova E. M., Kishkina S. B.. "Change in Fault Zone Permeability Due to Seismic Vibrations." Russian Journal of Earth Sciences 26.4 (2026): ES4005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2205/2026ES001150. EDN: GTTIQA.

APA

Kocharyan G. G., Shatunov I. V., Gorbunova E. M., Kishkina S. B. (2026). Change in Fault Zone Permeability Due to Seismic Vibrations. Russian Journal of Earth Sciences, 26(4), ES4005. https://doi.org/10.2205/2026ES001150 EDN: GTTIQA.

Chicago

Gevorg Kocharyan, Shatunov I. V., Gorbunova E. M., Kishkina S. B.. "Change in Fault Zone Permeability Due to Seismic Vibrations." Russian Journal of Earth Sciences 26, no. 4 (2026): ES4005. https://doi.org/10.2205/2026ES001150. EDN: GTTIQA.

WIKI

{{cite journal | author = Kocharyan G. G., Shatunov I. V., Gorbunova E. M., Kishkina S. B. | title = Change in Fault Zone Permeability Due to Seismic Vibrations | journal = Russian Journal of Earth Sciences | year = 2026 | volume = 26 | issue = 4 | pages = ES4005 | doi = 10.2205/2026ES001150 }} EDN: GTTIQA

Copy

Export: BibTeX EndNote RefMan RusMARC

CHANGE IN FAULT ZONE PERMEABILITY DUE TO SEISMIC VIBRATIONS Change in Fault Zone Permeability Due to Seismic Vibrations

Confirmation