Slab-derived fluid storage in the crust elucidated by earthquake swarm

Abstract Slab-derived fluids control crustal dynamics in the subduction zone. However, slab-derived fluid budget has never been quantified beyond a geophysical and geological spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we target an intense earthquake swarm associated with M9 Tohoku earthquake, which represented critical dynamic behavior of fluid. The volume involved quantified, plausible range 10 6 −10 8 m 3 , by utilizing injection-induced seismicity insights. Comparisons proxies suggest that estimated can be accumulated via supply from lower crust within 2 –10 4 y. Our study demonstrated such amount aqueous stored at midcrustal level, triggered consecutive activity for ~2 y suggesting possible link between swarms to class earthquakes (10 cycle) mineral veins deposits. This shed light on quantitative understanding budget.