Response Analysis of Multi-Layered Volcanic Aquifers in Jeju Island to the 2011 M9.0 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake

The 2011 M9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake triggered distinct responses in Jeju Island's multi-layered volcanic aquifers, revealing complex interactions between freshwater and saltwater dynamics. Monitoring wells detected changes in groundwater level, temperature, and electrical conductivity, indicating freshwater outflow and saltwater inflow—a phenomenon linked to seismic activity affecting coastal aquifers. The study highlights the superiority of multi-depth monitoring systems over single systems for capturing nuanced behaviors in layered aquifers, which are also sensitive to anthropogenic impacts. These findings underscore the importance of advanced monitoring techniques in volcanic, karstic, or coastal regions to better understand and mitigate earthquake-induced or human-caused disruptions.

Won, B., Hamm, S.-Y., Kim, K.-Y., Ha, K., Shin, J., Hwang, S., & Lee, S.-H. (2019). Response Analysis of Multi-Layered Volcanic Aquifers in Jeju Island to the 2011 M9.0 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake. Water, 11(5), 942. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11050942