Numerical Modeling of a Volcanic Hydrothermal System Based on Resistivity Structure

抄録

Numerical simulation is a useful method for studying the magmatic-hydrothermal systems of volcanoes. However, no comprehensive scheme has been established for constructing subsurface permeability structures that have a significant impact on fluid flow within the volcano. In this study, as a first step to establishing such a scheme, numerical simulations of hydrothermal fluid flow incorporating the heterogeneous properties of the permeability structure were performed utilizing the resistivity structure observed at Kusatsu-Shirane Volcano, central Japan. Although the constructed permeability structure was relatively simple, the simulation results closely reproduced some observations, such as the broad resistivity structure and the distribution and discharge patterns of hot springs around the volcano. These results suggest that the uncertainty in generating permeability structures in hydrothermal fluid flow simulations can be greatly reduced by using resistivity structures.