Distribution of Quaternary volcanic dike under the edifices and evaluation of central conduit stability by topographic analysis using contour lines

Nishiyama, Nariaki; Kawamura, Makoto; Umeda, Koji*; Niwa, Masakazu

Oyo Chishitsu, 64(3), p.98 - 111, 2023/08

https://doi.org/10.5110/jjseg.64.98

It is important to accumulate research examples on the spatial distribution of dikes under volcanic edifices for risk assessment in volcanic disaster prevention and site selection and safety assessment for the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. The topography of volcanoes is considered to represent the location of magma intrusion associated with volcanic activity and its history. In this study, we attempted to determine the predominant orientation of radial dikes and evaluate the central conduit stability based on the distribution, centroid, and area of contour lines comprising the volcanic edifices using GIS-based topographic analysis. As a result of the topographic analysis, the predominant orientation of the dikes was successfully shown for the volcanoes with stable conduits. On the other hand, this analysis was not suitable for determine the predominant orientation of dikes in volcanoes with unstable conduits, thus the applicable range of this analysis is considered to be determined by the conduit stability. In addition, the conduit stability can be evaluated by using the area data of contour polygons, which represents the scope of application to the method for determination of the predominant orientation of dikes. This means that the conduit stability during volcanic activity can be evaluated even for volcanoes of which activity history is not yet known, and that topographic analysis is a useful tool for this purpose. The use of topographic analysis in this study will be expected to provide a new scale for the history of volcanic activity.

Analytical method for chemical compositions of volcanic glasses in Tono Geoscience Center; Quantitative measurements of Major Elements by using EPMA and Minor Elements by LA-ICP-MS

Kagami, Saya; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Umeda, Koji*

JAEA-Testing 2021-001, 49 Pages, 2021/08

JAEA-Testing-2021-001.pdf:3.86MB

To make a contribution to safety assessment for geological disposal of high level radioactive and/or TRU waste, we need to assess long-term stability of geological environment and predict long-term changes of geotectonic events that will occur in the future, especially for Quaternary period ( 2.6 million years ago-present). In the most case, we investigate chronological data of geological events by radiometric dating. When some geological samples have no objects to which radiometric dating method can be applied (e.g., zircon, biotite, wood fragments and plant residues), we can use tephrochronology, which is geological dating method using each layer of tephra (erupted volcanic ash), for dating of geological layers. This chronological method is essential in Japan, where volcanism is very active. Tephra is usually characterized by petrographic characteristics and/or chemical composition (mainly major elements) of volcanic glasses and/or minerals in tephra. In Tono Geoscience Center (Japan Atomic Energy Agency), we develop an analytical technique of chemical composition including trace elements of volcanic glasses for detailed tephra identification. In this paper, we report a sample preparation procedure and analytical methods of chemical compositions of individual volcanic glass shards by using an electron probe microanalyzer and a laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer.

Fission track dating of faulting events accommodating plastic deformation of biotites

Sueoka, Shigeru; Shimada, Koji; Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Niwa, Masakazu; Yasue, Kenichi; Umeda, Koji*; Danhara, Toru*; Iwano, Hideki*

Journal of Geophysical Research; Solid Earth, 122(3), p.1848 - 1859, 2017/03

http://doi.org/10.1002/2016JB013522

no abstracts in English

Annual report for research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste in fiscal year 2015

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Umeda, Koji*; Yasue, Kenichi; Kokubu, Yoko; Niwa, Masakazu; Asamori, Koichi; Watanabe, Takahiro; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Fujita, Natsuko; Shimizu, Mayuko; et al.

JAEA-Research 2016-023, 91 Pages, 2017/02

JAEA-Research-2016-023.pdf:13.33MB

This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 1st fiscal year during the JAEA 3rd Mid- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2015-2021) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of the high-level radioactive waste. The planned 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. In this paper, the current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.

Dating of crush zones associated with plastic deformation of biotite; Constraints by fission-track thermochronometry

Sueoka, Shigeru; Shimada, Koji; Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Niwa, Masakazu; Yasue, Kenichi; Umeda, Koji*; Danhara, Toru*; Iwano, Hideki*

Fisshion, Torakku Nyusureta, (29), p.5 - 7, 2016/12

http://ftrgj.org/FTNLs/FTNLparts/sueoka16.pdf

no abstracts in English

Cooling and denudation history of the Tsuruga body of Kojaku granite, southwest Japan, constrained from multi-system thermochronology

Sueoka, Shigeru; Umeda, Koji; Yasue, Kenichi; Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Danhara, Toru*; Iwano, Hideki*; Yagi, Koshi*

Chigaku Zasshi, 125(2), p.201 - 219, 2016/04

https://doi.org/10.5026/jgeography.125.201

We applied multi-system thermochronology to the Tsuruga body of the Kojaku granite to constrain the cooling/denudation history of the Tsuruga area. Based on the thermochronometric results and other data, we reconstructed the cooling and denudation histories of the Tsuruga body as below: (1) the Tsuruga body intruded at c.a. 68 Ma at the depth of 4-5 km, (2) rapidly cooled down to c.a. 200C by heat conduction within a few million years or less, and (3) slowly cooled due to peneplanation during the Cenozoic. This cooling/denudation history is consistent with the observations that cataclasite and fault gouge are dominant in the crush zones of the Tsuruga body, that similar slow cooling histories over the Cenozoic are estimated in the surrounding areas based on thermochronometric ages, and that the amount of denudation in the last few million years in the Tsuruga area is inferred at less than several hundred meters from the elevations of the uplifted peneplains.

Contributions of geosciences to nuclear safety, 1; Detecting geofluids and its implications for geological disposal

Umeda, Koji; Asamori, Koichi

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai-Shi ATOMO, 58(2), p.110 - 114, 2016/02

Geofluid is regarded as a powerful tool to evaluate geosphere stability for geological disposal.

Research plan on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste (Scientific programme for fiscal year 2015)

Umeda, Koji; Yasue, Kenichi; Kokubu, Yoko; Niwa, Masakazu; Asamori, Koichi; Fujita, Natsuko; Shimizu, Mayuko; Matsubara, Akihiro; Tamura, Hajimu; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; et al.

JAEA-Review 2015-019, 42 Pages, 2015/09

JAEA-Review-2015-019.pdf:4.64MB

This report is a plan of research and development (R&D) on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in JAEA, in fiscal year 2015. The objectives and contents in fiscal year 2015 are described in detail based on the outline of 7 years plan (fiscal years 2015-2021). Background of this research is clarified with the necessity and the significance for site investigation and safety assessment, and the past progress in this report. In addition, 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.

Synthesized research report in the second mid-term research phase; Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory Project, Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project and Geo-stability Project

Hama, Katsuhiro; Mizuno, Takashi; Sasao, Eiji; Iwatsuki, Teruki; Saegusa, Hiromitsu; Sato, Toshinori; Fujita, Tomoo; Sasamoto, Hiroshi; Matsuoka, Toshiyuki; Yokota, Hideharu; et al.

JAEA-Research 2015-007, 269 Pages, 2015/08

JAEA-Research-2015-007.pdf:68.65MB
JAEA-Research-2015-007(errata).pdf:0.07MB

We have synthesised the research results from Mizunami/Horonobe URLs and geo-stability projects in the second mid-term research phase. It could be used as technical bases for NUMO/Regulator in each decision point from sitting to beginning of disposal (Principal Investigation to Detailed Investigation Phase). High quality construction techniques and field investigation methods have been developed and implemented and these will be directly applicable to the National Disposal Program (along with general assessments of hazardous natural events and processes). It will be crucial to acquire technical knowledge on decisions of partial backfilling and final closure by actual field experiments in Mizunami/Horonobe URLs as main themes for the next phases.

Triggering of earthquake swarms following the 2011 Tohoku megathrust earthquake

Umeda, Koji; Asamori, Koichi; Makuuchi, Ayumu; Kobori, Kazuo; Hama, Yuki*

Journal of Geophysical Research; Solid Earth, 120(4), p.2279 - 2291, 2015/04

https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JB011598

Following the Mw 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake, an unusual, shallow normal-faulting swarm sequence occurred near the Pacific coast in the southeast Tohoku district. The observed He/He ratios are significantly lower than the atmospheric value, indicating mantle helium contributed less than 10%. The plausible source of fluids can be attributed to waters released owing to sediment porosity collapse, and smectite-illite and opal-quartz reactions in the subducting sediments, rather than dehydration reactions of the subducting altered basalts and/or hydrated mantle. The aqueous fluids driven off the subducting slab migrate into the fore-arc crust, because of the pressure gradient between lithostatic pore pressure along the plate interface and hydrostatic pore pressure in the overriding crust. The swarm earthquake sequence would have been triggered by stress change associated with the Tohoku-Oki earthquake, enhanced by fluid flow along inherited weakened zones in the crust.