Earth's water cycles are linked to earthquakes and tsunamis

9 Jul 2020

Earth’s water cycles are linked to earthquakes and tsunamis

Earth’s water cycles are linked to earthquakes and tsunamisIn a new study, an international team of scientists have provided the first conclusive evidence that directly links deep Earth's water cycle to earthquakes and tsunamis.

What does the study say?

Water (H2O) and other volatiles (e.g. carbon dioxide and sulphur) are cycled through the deep Earth areas. They have played a key role in the evolution of our planet. This includes the formation of continents, the beginning of life, and the distribution of volcanoes and earthquakes.

Tectonic plates are large slabs of the crust over the Earth's liquid mantle (on which our continents exist).  These plates move slowly over long periods of time.

The plates have subduction zones - where tectonic plates meet and one plate sinks beneath another. In these zones, large volumes of water are transferred in and out, mainly through volcanic eruptions.

Upon reaching a subduction zone, the sinking plate heats up and gets squeezed, resulting in the gradual release of some or all of its water. As water is released, it lowers the melting point of the surrounding rocks and generates magma. This ultimately leads to eruptions in volcano lying above.

The same process can lead to earthquakes and can affect their magnitude which can lead to tsunamis. Tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea.

When a tectonic plate sinks into the mantle, its water is forced out of major cracks, causing it to lose all water. The study shows that the highest concentration of small earthquakes is in areas where zones are dehydrated (lost all water).

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In a new study, an international team of scientists have provided the first conclusive evidence that directly links deep Earth’s water cycle to earthquakes and […]

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