Physicochemical characterization of the youngest active domain in major fault zones using the weathering index and X-ray computed tomography

Iwamori, Akiyuki*; Ogita, Yasuhiro; Shimada, Koji; Tateishi, Ryo*; Takagi, Hideo*; Ota, Toru*; Cho, T.*; Kudo, Shunsuke*; Nojiri, Keisuke*; Shigemitsu, Yasumune*; et al.

Engineering Geology, 344, p.107821_1 - 107821_20, 2025/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2024.107821

Clarification of the physicochemical characterization of brittle fault rocks is important not only for understanding the history of the fault activity and deformation mechanisms, but also for assessing the siting conditions of important facilities such as nuclear power plants, radioactive waste disposal sites, and oil storage bases. Here, we apply the chemical weathering index (W values) to the brittle fault rocks of the Shiraki-Nyu fault (granite), the Tsuruga fault (geological boundary between granite and greenstone), and the Yamada fault (adamellite), which are active faults in the peripheral area of Wakasa Bay, and their respective protoliths (hard rocks), and investigate the physicochemical characteristics of the youngest active domain of brittle fault rocks based on the relationship between computed tomography data (CT numbers) and alteration intensity (AI values). The W values of the fault rocks are mainly affected by changes in NaO and CaO, corresponding to the elution or deposition of plagioclase and calsite for granite, clinopyroxene and hornblende for greenstone, and plagioclase for adamellite. The W values mainly indicate the effects of hydrothermal alteration up to 50 60 percent and of weathering at over 60 percent. On the other hand, the CT values of the fault rocks are lowest in the fault gouge corresponding to the latest active zone, which was identified as the lowest density zone. In addition, fresh plagioclase fragments are present in each fault gouge of the latest active zone of the active faults in this study. The application of W values to brittle fault rocks is an effective method for understanding the trends of mineralogical variations associated with hydrothermal alteration and weathering in fault rocks, and it is highly possible to improve the accuracy of identifying the youngest active domain in major fault zones through joint analyses of CT numbers.

Annual report for research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste in fiscal year 2023

Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Sueoka, Shigeru; Ishihara, Takanori; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki; Asamori, Koichi; Murakami, Osamu; Fukuda, Shoma; Ogita, Yasuhiro; Kagami, Saya; et al.

JAEA-Research 2024-013, 65 Pages, 2024/11

JAEA-Research-2024-013.pdf:4.22MB

This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 2nd fiscal year of the JAEA 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques. The current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.

Analysis of the stress field around concealed active fault from minor faults-slip data collected by geological survey; An Example in the 1984 Western Nagano Earthquake region

Nishiyama, Nariaki; Nakajima, Toru; Goto, Akira*; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki; Nagata, Mitsuhiro; Shimada, Koji; Niwa, Masakazu

Earth and Space Science (Internet), 11(6), p.e2023EA003360_1 - e2023EA003360_15, 2024/06

https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EA003360

Earthquakes with magnitudes of 6-7 have been reported even in various active tectonic settings where fault deformation topography have not been detected. Therefore, delineating concealed active faults generating such earthquakes is necessary to reduce earthquake damage; however, few studies exist to provide its clues regarding such faults. The 1984 Western Nagano Earthquake in Japan was a main shock with a magnitude of Mj 6.8 and a depth of 2 km at the source. Solid bedrocks are well-exposed in the earthquake source region; however, no surface rupture have been identified, and the active fault is known to be concealed. In this study, we collected data on striations observed in fractures by geological survey around the source area of the 1984 Western Nagano Earthquake. Using the collected data, the multiple inverse method was used to estimate the stresses that affected the striation formation. Consequently, stresses similar to acting faults in this area were detected in minor faults around the known concealed active fault. This suggests that the minor faults might be part of the damage zone that has been developed around the concealed active fault. Some minor faults were recognized in Quaternary volcanic rocks, confirming that they experienced displacements recently. This study indicates the possibility of detecting concealed active faults in the bedrock by geological survey.

Present status of the JAEA-AMS-TONO (2023FY)

Fujita, Natsuko; Miyake, Masayasu; Matsubara, Akihiro*; Ishii, Masahiro*; Takahashi, Yuto*; Watanabe, Takahiro; Jinno, Satoshi; Nishio, Tomohiro*; Ogawa, Yumi; Kimura, Kenji; et al.

Dai-25-Kai AMS Shimpojiumu Hokokushu (Internet), 3 Pages, 2024/03

The JAEA-AMS-TONO facility at the Tono Geoscience Center, JAEA has three accelerator mass spectrometers. We report the present status of the JAEA-AMS-TONO.

Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope analyses of geological samples using a thermal conversion elemental analyzer-isotope ratio mass spectrometer at Tono Geoscience Center

Yamamoto, Yusuke*; Watanabe, Takahiro; Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji

JAEA-Testing 2023-003, 67 Pages, 2024/02

JAEA-Testing-2023-003.pdf:4.63MB

A long-term geosphere stability for geological disposal is evaluated by the past geological environmental changes and modern conditions. Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios (D, O) of geological samples are useful information to estimate the past environmental changes and modern conditions. Recently, the thermal conversion elemental analyzer and isotope ratio mass spectrometer (TC-EA/IRMS) were installed in the Tono Geoscience Center for D and O measurements of geological samples. In this study, we reported analytical methods of D and O using international standard reference materials. In addition, evaluation tests of uncertainty by repeated analyses of the standards were performed using the TC-EA/IRMS. Furthermore, the D and O analyses by the TC- EA/IRMS were also applied to fault rock samples.

Estimation of shear wave polarization anisotropy in the fore-arc region of Kyushu, Japan

Ogawa, Hiroki; Hiratsuka, Shinya; Asamori, Koichi; Shimada, Koji; Niwa, Masakazu

Butsuri Tansa, 77, p.15 - 23, 2024/00

https://doi.org/10.3124/segj.77.15

Understanding pathways of volcanic fluids or non-volcanic slab-related fluids by means of investigations from the surface is effective for preventing the loss of the function as a natural barrier in the geological disposal system of high-level radioactive waste. There are few long active faults and is no record of remarkable groundwater discharge in the fore-arc region of Kyushu, Japan. However, previous studies on seismic wave velocity and resistivity structures suggest the existence of the zones of slab-related fluids derived from the Philippine Sea Plate in the crust. To associate pathways of fluids in the fore-arc region of Kyushu with distribution and properties of cracks, we applied a shear wave splitting analysis to waveform data of shallow earthquakes in this region. In the inland part of Kyushu, the orientation of the faster polarized shear wave is subparallel to the axes of the maximum horizontal compressional stress, which can attribute the shear wave polarization anisotropy mainly to the distributions of cracks aligned along the crustal stress. The faster polarized shear wave at the seismic stations in the coastal area of Hyuganada Sea shows the orientation of NNE-SSWNE-SW or NNW-SSENW-SE different from that of the crustal stress. The average intensity of anisotropy over the ray-path length from hypocenters to each seismic station is also calculated. As a result, a few ray paths acquired at the seismic station TAKAZA to the east of Kirishima Volcano show larger anisotropic intensity, 5.6-7.0%. There is no denying the possibility that these ray paths reflect the pathways of the hydrothermal fluids. In the coastal area of Hyuganada Sea, however, it is confirmed that we do not obtain the ray paths that indicate continuous fluid pathways extending from hypocenters to each seismic station because the anisotropic intensity over the ray-path length is less than 5%.

Annual report for research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste in fiscal year 2022

Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Sueoka, Shigeru; Ishihara, Takanori; Ogawa, Hiroki; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki; Watanabe, Tsuyoshi; Nishiyama, Nariaki; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Ogata, Manabu; et al.

JAEA-Research 2023-005, 78 Pages, 2023/10

JAEA-Research-2023-005.pdf:6.51MB

This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 1st fiscal year of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques. The current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.

Separation of quartz for measurement of beryllium-10 and aluminium-26; Application of cell handler

Kokubu, Yoko; Utsumi, Yoshinori*; Ito, Saburo*; Shimada, Koji

Dai-23-Kai AMS Shimpojiumu Hokokushu, p.60 - 63, 2022/12

In the case of estimating erosion rates of ground surfaces from measurement of beryllium-10 and aluminum-26, quartz contained in rocks and sediments is used as a measurement sample. In this paper, we present an example of separating quartz using a cell handler, which is a cell separation system, without chemical treatment using hydrofluoric acid. By optimizing the way to apply light to the mineral sample with the cell handler and the exposure time of the camera of the cell handler, quartz and other minerals, such as feldspar, were able to be distinguished from other minerals, such as feldspar in image recognition. An experimental measurement using rock samples was then performed under these conditions. As a result, only quartz was successfully separated through a fully automatized process by that distinguishes and picks quartz using the image recognition software and picking system built into the cell handler.

Efficient detection of methane seepage using a vehicle-mounted cavity ring-down spectroscopy analyzer

Niwa, Masakazu; Shimo, Michito*; Shimada, Koji; Goto, Akira

JAEA-Research 2022-004, 38 Pages, 2022/06

JAEA-Research-2022-004.pdf:2.86MB
JAEA-Research-2022-004-appendix(CD-ROM).zip:0.41MB

Methane (CH) seepage to the surface in the early stage of hydrocarbon exploration has attracted increasing attention. Also, detection of CH-rich fluid emission can be applied to reconnaissance surveys for safety management in geological disposal of radioactive waste because high-temperature fluids that come from slab dehydration along a subduction zone are often rich in CH. These fluids likely migrate along faults and fractures. In this study, we employed a portable analyzer that used a wavelength-scanned cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) with high accuracy (in ppb levels) and short measurement intervals (1 s). An on-vehicle measurement that employed the CRDS system was performed in the Hongu area in southeast Kii Peninsula, Japan, which included CH-bearing hot springs (Kawayu and Yunomine). The measurement near the hot springs detected a clear CH anomaly (2 ppm) that exceeded the background concentration. The estimation of CH diffusion in air based on the Gaussian plume model corresponded to the result of the on-vehicle measurement. This study confirmed that the method using the vehicle-mounted CRDS analyzer can help in quickly and easily identifying CH-bearing fluid emissions at the surface. Additionally, directions for use of the analyzer were summarized in this report.

TEM observation and MD simulation of frank partial dislocation climbing in Al-Cu alloy

Chen, J.*; Yoshida, Kenta*; Suzudo, Tomoaki; Shimada, Yusuke*; Inoue, Koji*; Konno, Toyohiko*; Nagai, Yasuyoshi*

Materials Transactions, 63(4), p.468 - 474, 2022/04

https://doi.org/10.2320/matertrans.MT-M2021233

In situ electron irradiation using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was performed to visualize the Frank loop evolution in aluminium-copper (Al-Cu) alloy with an atomic-scale spatial resolution of 0.12 nm. The HRTEM observation along the [110] direction of the FCC-Al lattice, Frank partial dislocation bounding an intrinsic stacking fault exhibited an asymmetrical climb along the 112 direction opposed to those in the reference pure Al under an electron irradiation, with a corresponding displacement-per-atom rate of 0.055-0.120 dpa/s. The asymmetrical climb of the partial dislocation was described as pinning effects due to Cu-Cu bonding in Guinier-Preston zones by a molecular dynamics simulation.