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Seismically induced changes in groundwater levels and temperatures following the ML5.8 (ML5.1) Gyeongju earthquake in South Korea


Soo-Hyoung Lee1 & Jae Min Lee1 & Sang-Ho Moon1 & Kyoochul Ha1 & Yongcheol Kim1 &
Dan Bi Jeong1 & Yongje Kim1
Received: 23 April 2020 /Accepted: 25 February 2021
# The Author(s) 2021
Abstract
Hydrogeological responses to earthquakes such as changes in groundwater level, temperature, and chemistry, have been observed
for several decades. This study examines behavior associated with ML 5.8 and ML 5.1 earthquakes that occurred on 12
September 2016 near Gyeongju, a city located on the southeast coast of the Korean peninsula. The ML 5.8 event stands as the
largest recorded earthquake in South Korea since the advent of modern recording systems. There was considerable damage
associated with the earthquakes and many aftershocks. Records from monitoring wells located about 135 km west of the
epicenter displayed various patterns of change in both water level and temperature. There were transient-type, step-like-type
(up and down), and persistent-type (rise and fall) changes in water levels. The water temperature changes were of transient, shiftchange,
and tendency-change types. Transient changes in the groundwater level and temperature were particularly well developed
in monitoring wells installed along a major boundary fault that bisected the study area. These changes were interpreted as
representing an aquifer system deformed by seismic waves. The various patterns in groundwater level and temperature, therefore,
suggested that seismic waves impacted the fractured units through the reactivation of fractures, joints, and microcracks, which
resulted from a pulse in fluid pressure. This study points to the value of long-termmonitoring efforts, which in this case were able
to provide detailed information needed to manage the groundwater resources in areas potentially affected by further earthquakes.
Keywords Earthquake . Hydrogeological system . Groundwater level . Temperature . South Korea


Introduction
Earthquakes of magnitude ML5.1 and ML5.8 occurred at 19:44:32 (10:44:32 UTC) and 20:32:54 (11:32:54 UTC), respectively,
on 12 September 2016 near Gyeongju, a city located on the southeastern coast of the Korean peninsula. It stands as the largest recorded earthquake in South Korea since the advent of modern recording systems, and it caused great damage with a series of aftershocks. The ML5.8 event and more than 500 aftershocks caused extreme damage across the area, with 80 associated injuries and approximately
1,300 people left homeless. Subsequently, the region was designated as a special disaster area.

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