Earthquakes as a potential energy source for subsurface deep biosphere

• Project/Area Number: 19H02006
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 17040:Solid earth sciences-related
• Research Institution: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: HIROSE Takehiro 国立研究開発法人海洋研究開発機構, 超先鋭研究開発部門(高知コア研究所), 研究所長 (40470124)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2022)
• Budget Amount: ¥17,030,000 (Direct Cost: ¥13,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥3,930,000); Fiscal Year 2022: ¥2,340,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥540,000); Fiscal Year 2021: ¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥3,250,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥750,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥7,150,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,650,000)
• Keywords: 地震 / 断層 / 水 / 地下生命圏 / 酸化還元反応 / 南海トラフ / X線吸収微細構造分析 / 微生物

Outline of Research at the Start

地震時には地下深部で膨大なエネルギーが放出される。その大部分は熱となり、断層帯内部での岩石と水の物理化学反応を促進する。本研究では、『この地震時の物理化学反応を生命活動に利用する化学合成微生物が、沈み込み帯（南海トラフ）の地下生命圏を形成している』という仮説を、地震断層運動を再現する摩擦実験によって検証する。特に、断層摩擦発熱によって南海プレート境界物質の酸化還元反応状態がどの程度変化するのかを、X線吸収微細構造分析を用いて詳細に調べる。本研究の実験・分析結果と実際の地震観測データを組み合わせ、南海トラフで生命が利用可能な地震化学反応エネルギー量の時空間分布を描くことを目指す。

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to explore a hypothesis that the redox reactions associated with an earthquake could provide a potential metabolic energy source for life on the earth, we have conducted high-velocity friction experiments that is capable of reproducing coseismic faulting and determined redox change within a fault by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analysis. The experimental and analytical results indicated that the iron in the rock samples is rapidly oxidized during coseismic faulting and that such rapid oxidation reaction results from the chemical reaction between nanoscale iron particles formed by faulting and supercritical water formed due to frictional heating. This coseismic redox change could provide a potential energy source in subsurface microbial ecosystems.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

地震時には地下深部で膨大なエネルギーが放出される。その大部分は熱となり、断層帯内部での岩石と水の物理化学反応を促進する。この動的な物理化学プロセスが地震発生プロセスに大きく寄与していることのみならず、地震エネルギーに依存した地下生命の可能性を指摘するに至った。また、断層内部物質の酸化還元反応を、放射光XAFS分析によって定量的に解析する手法を確立することができた。今後、本研究で確立された実験分析手法を活用した研究を進めることで、沈み込み帯での地震活動－物質循環－生命プロセスの総合的な理解に繋がると期待される。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Depth profile of frictional properties in the inner Nankai accretionary prism using cuttings from IODP Site C0002 (2022)
  • Author(s): Fujioka Riho、Katayama Ikuo、Kitamura Manami、Okuda Hanaya、Hirose Takehiro
  • Journal Title: Progress in Earth and Planetary Science Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Pages: 31-31
  • DOI: 10.1186/s40645-022-00488-1
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Direct constraints on in situ stress state from deep drilling into the Nankai subduction zone, Japan (2022)
  • Author(s): Tobin Harold J.、Saffer Demian M.、Castillo David A.、Hirose Takehiro
  • Journal Title: Geology Volume: 50 Issue: 11 Pages: 1229-1233
  • DOI: 10.1130/g49639.1
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Deformation and Material Transfer in a Fossil Subduction Channel: Evidence From the Island of Elba (Italy) (2022)
  • Author(s): Papeschi Samuele、Vannucchi Paola、Hirose Takehiro、Okazaki Keishi
  • Journal Title: Tectonics Volume: 41 Issue: 7
  • DOI: 10.1029/2021tc007164
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Simple evaluation of the fold axis, axial plane, and interlimb angle from a borehole image log (2022)
  • Author(s): Hamada Yohei、Sanada Yoshinori、Hirose Takehiro
  • Journal Title: Scientific Drilling Volume: 31 Pages: 85-91
  • DOI: 10.5194/sd-31-85-2022
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Formation of clast-cortex aggregates in experimental fault gouges (2022)
  • Author(s): Kim Jae Hoon、Ree Jin-Han、Hirose Takehiro、Oohashi Kiyokazu
  • Journal Title: Tectonophysics Volume: 839 Pages: 229524-229524
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.tecto.2022.229524
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] 地震断層の動的すべり挙動の解明に向けた放射光・高速摩擦実験 (2022)
  • Author(s): 廣瀬丈洋，武藤潤
  • Journal Title: 月刊地球 Volume: 44(1) Pages: 25-29
• [Journal Article] High Fluid-Pressure Patches Beneath the Decollement: A Potential Source of Slow Earthquakes in the Nankai Trough off Cape Muroto (2021)
  • Author(s): T. Hirose, Y. Hamada, W. Tanikawa, N. Kamiya, Y. Yamamoto, T. Tsuji, M. Kinoshita, V. B. Heuer, F. Inagaki, Y. Morono, Y. Kubo
  • Journal Title: Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth Volume: 126 Issue: 6
  • DOI: 10.1029/2021jb021831
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] The stabilizing effect of high pore-fluid pressure along subduction megathrust faults: Evidence from friction experiments on accretionary sediments from the Nankai Trough (2021)
  • Author(s): Bedford John D.、Faulkner Daniel R.、Allen Michael J.、Hirose Takehiro
  • Journal Title: Earth and Planetary Science Letters Volume: 574 Pages: 117161-117161
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2021.117161
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Mechanical Weakness of the Nankai Accretionary Prism: Insights From Vp Measurements of Drill Cuttings (2021)
  • Author(s): Kitamura M.、Hirose T.、Lei X.
  • Journal Title: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems Volume: 22 Issue: 5
  • DOI: 10.1029/2020gc009536
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Influence of effective stress and pore-fluid pressure on fault strength and slip localization in calcite gouges (2020)
  • Author(s): Rempe, M., Di Toro, G., Mitchell, T., Smith, S., Hirose, T., Renner, J.
  • Journal Title: Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth Volume: 125(11) Issue: 11
  • DOI: 10.1029/2020jb019805
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Temperature limits to deep subseafloor life in the Nankai Trough subduction zone (2020)
  • Author(s): Heuer Verena B.、Inagaki Fumio、Morono Yuki、Kubo Yusuke、Spivack Arthur J.、Viehweger Bernhard、Treude Tina、Beulig Felix、Schubotz Florence、Tonai Satoshi、Bowden Stephen A.、Cramm Margaret、Henkel Susann、Hirose Takehiro、Homola Kira、Hoshino Tatsuhiko、Ijiri Akira、Imachi Hiroyuki、Kamiya Nana、et al.
  • Journal Title: Science Volume: 370 Issue: 6521 Pages: 1230-1234
  • DOI: 10.1126/science.abd7934
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Thermal Conductivity Profile in the Nankai Accretionary Prism at IODP NanTroSEIZE Site C0002: Estimations From High‐Pressure Experiments Using Input Site Sediments (2020)
  • Author(s): Lin Weiren、Hirose Takehiro、Tadai Osamu、Tanikawa Wataru、Ishitsuka Kazuya、Yang Xiaoqiu
  • Journal Title: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems Volume: 21 Issue: 7
  • DOI: 10.1029/2020gc009108
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Rupture to the trench? Frictional properties and fracture energy of incoming sediments at the Cascadia subduction zone (2020)
  • Author(s): Seyler, C., Kirkpatrick, J., Savage, H, Hirose, T., Faulkner, D.
  • Journal Title: Earth and Planetary Science Letters Volume: 546(15) Pages: 116413-116413
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2020.116413
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Hot fluids, burial metamorphism and thermal histories in the underthrust sediments at IODP 370 site C0023, Nankai Accretionary Complex (2020)
  • Author(s): Tsang Man-Yin、Bowden Stephen A.、Wang Zhibin、Mohammed Abdalla、Tonai Satoshi、Muirhead David、Yang Kiho、Yamamoto Yuzuru、Kamiya Nana、Okutsu Natsumi、Hirose Takehiro、Kars Myriam、Schubotz Florence、Ijiri Akira、Yamada Yasuhiro、Kubo Yusuke、Morono Yuki、Inagaki Fumio、Heuer Verena B.、Hinrichs Kai-Uwe
  • Journal Title: Marine and Petroleum Geology Volume: 112 Pages: 104080-104080
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2019.104080
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Strength Profile of the Inner Nankai Accretionary Prism at IODP Site C0002 (2019)
  • Author(s): Kitamura Manami、Kitajima Hiroko、Sone Hiroki、Hamada Yohei、Hirose Takehiro
  • Journal Title: Geophysical Research Letters Volume: 46 Issue: 19 Pages: 10791-10799
  • DOI: 10.1029/2019gl083732
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Experimental investigations on dating the last earthquake event using OSL signals of quartz from fault gouges (2019)
  • Author(s): Kim Jae Hoon、Ree Jin-Han、Choi Jeong-Heon、Chauhan Naveen、Hirose Takehiro、Kitamura Manami
  • Journal Title: Tectonophysics Volume: 769 Pages: 228191-228191
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.tecto.2019.228191
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Frictional melt homogenisation during fault slip: Geochemical, textural and rheological fingerprints (2019)
  • Author(s): Wallace Paul A.、De Angelis Sarah H.、Hornby Adrian J.、Kendrick Jackie E.、Clesham Stephen、von Aulock Felix W.、Hughes Amy、Utley James E.P.、Hirose Takehiro、Dingwell Donald B.、Lavallee Yan
  • Journal Title: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Volume: 255 Pages: 265-288
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.gca.2019.04.010
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] A New Method for Quality Control of Geological Cores by X-Ray Computed Tomography: Application in IODP Expedition 370 (2019)
  • Author(s): Tonai Satoshi、Kubo Yusuke、Tsang Man-Yin、Bowden Stephen、Ide Kotaro、Hirose Takehiro、Kamiya Nana、Yamamoto Yuzuru、Yang Kiho、Yamada Yasuhiro、Morono Yuki、Heuer Verena B.、Inagaki Fumio、Expedition 370 Scientists
  • Journal Title: Frontiers in Earth Science Volume: 7 Pages: 1-13
  • DOI: 10.3389/feart.2019.00117
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Expedition 358 Preliminary Report: NanTroSEIZE Plate Boundary Deep Riser 4: Nankai Seismogenic/Slow Slip Megathrust (2019)
  • Author(s): Tobin H.、Hirose T.、Ikari M.、Kanagawa K.、Kimura G.、Kinoshita M.、Kitajima H.、Saffer D.、Yamaguchi A.、Eguchi N.、Maeda L.、Toczko S.、Expedition 358 Scientists
  • Journal Title: International Ocean Discovery Program Volume: - Pages: 1-34
  • DOI: 10.14379/iodp.pr.358.2019
  • Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Strength characteristics of sediments from a gas hydrate deposit in the Krishna-Godavari Basin on the eastern margin of India (2018)
  • Author(s): Takehiro Hirose, Wataru Tanikawa, Yohei Hamada, Weiren Lin, Kentaro Hatakeda, Osamu Tadai, Hung Y. Wu, Shun Nomura, Natsue Abe, Lallan P. Gupta, Takamitsu Sugihara, Yuka Masaki, Masataka Kinoshita, Yasuhiro Yamada, NGHP Expedition 02 JAMSTEC Science Team
  • Journal Title: Marine and Petroleum Geology Volume: 印刷中 Pages: 348-355
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2018.08.017
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Paleo-thermal history deduced from vitrinite reflectance within the decollement, off Cape Muroto, Japan (2022)
  • Author(s): Nana Kamiya、Masataka Kinoshita、Weiren Lin、Takehiro Hirose、Yuzuru Yamamoto、Stephen Alan Bowden、Man-Yin Tsang、Satoshi Tonai、Expedition 370 Scientists Group
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2022年大会
• [Presentation] 室戸岬沖南海トラフのスロー地震震源域近傍に拡がるパッチ状高圧間隙水帯 (2022)
  • Author(s): 廣瀬 丈洋、濱田 洋平、谷川 亘、神谷 奈々、山本 由弦、辻 健、木下 正高、Heuer Verena 、稲垣 史生、諸野 祐樹、久保 雄介
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2022年大会
• [Presentation] 異なる粒状物質が挟在する二面剪断変形試験による摩擦の多様性 (2022)
  • Author(s): 谷川 亘、廣瀬 丈洋、濱田 洋平、岡崎 啓史、多田井 修、鈴木 孝弘
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2022年大会
• [Presentation] Experimental Investigation of Strength Recovery Under Fluid Flow (2022)
  • Author(s): 濱田 洋平、廣瀬 丈洋
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2022年大会
• [Presentation] 南海トラフ地震歪蓄積域における応力状態: 紀伊半島沖超深度ライザー孔C0002の解析 (2022)
  • Author(s): 廣瀬 丈洋、濱田 洋平、北島 弘子、Saffer Demian、Tobin Harold
  • Organizer: 日本地質学会第129学術大会
• [Presentation] Hydrothermal rotary-shearing apparatus in Kochi/JAMSTEC toward understanding slow to fast faulting processes (2022)
  • Author(s): Takehiro Hirose, Wataru Tanikawa, Yohei Hamada, John Bedford, Keishi Okazaki
  • Organizer: International Joint Workshop on Slow-to-Fast Earthquakes 2022
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 地震断層運動に起因するオリビン結晶内の鉄の酸化還元状態変化~地震と地下生命圏のリンケージ~ (2021)
  • Author(s): 廣瀬 丈洋・中田 亮一・岡崎 啓史・渋谷 岳造
  • Organizer: 地球化学学会2021年度年会
  • Invited
• [Presentation] Noble gas release and model fault experiment degassing during coseismic sliding: gabbroid vs granitoid for future comparison between oceanic and continental lithospheres (2021)
  • Author(s): 佐藤 佳子、熊谷 英憲、廣瀬 丈洋
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2021年大会
  • Invited
• [Presentation] 南海トラフ・プレート境界先端に拡がるパッチ状の高間隙水圧帯：室戸沖スロー地震の発生源？ (2021)
  • Author(s): 廣瀬 丈洋、濱田 洋平、谷川 亘、神谷 奈々、山本 由弦、辻 健、木下 正高
  • Organizer: 日本地質学会第128年学術大会
• [Presentation] Redox change by coseismic water-rock reactions in the interior of planets (2021)
  • Author(s): 廣瀬 丈洋、中田 亮一、岡崎 啓史、渋谷 岳造
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2021年大会
• [Presentation] A consideration on friction experiments with synchrotron radiation towards unveiling earthquake generation processes (2020)
  • Author(s): Hirose Takehiro, Kono Yoshio
  • Organizer: JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting 2020
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] High Fluid Pressure Patch beneath the Decollement as a Potential Source of Slow Earthquakes at the Nankai Trough (2020)
  • Author(s): Hirose Takehiro, Hamada Yohei, Tanikawa Wataru, Kamiya Nana, Yamamoto Yuzuru, Tsuji Takeshi, Kinoshita Masataka
  • Organizer: JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting 2020
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Quake-induced redox change in the interior of planets (2020)
  • Author(s): Hirose Takehiro, Nakada Ryoichi, Okazaki Keishi, Shibuya Takazo
  • Organizer: AGU fall meeting 2020
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Experimental investigation of strength recovery under fluid flow (2020)
  • Author(s): Hamada Yohei, Hirose Takehiro, Tanikawa Wataru
  • Organizer: AGU Fall Meeting 2020
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Mechanical weakness of the Nankai accretionary prism: Insights from a correlation between Vp and strength of cuttings (2020)
  • Author(s): Kitamura Manami, Hirose Takehiro
  • Organizer: JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting 2020
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 南海トラフ地震発生帯掘削計画（IODP 358次航海）におけるプレート境界断層に向けた超深度ライザー掘削：達成と今後 (2019)
  • Author(s): 廣瀬 丈洋、木下 正高、木村 学、山口 飛鳥、 金川 久一、Tobin Harold、Ikari Matt、北島 弘子、Saffer Demian、前田 玲奈、Toczko Sean、江口 暢久
  • Organizer: 地質学会第126年学術大会
  • Invited
• [Presentation] Deep Drilling at the Nankai Trough: IODP NanTroSEIZE Expedition 358 Summary and First Results (2019)
  • Author(s): Tobin Harold, Hirose Takehiro, Ikari Matt, Kanagawa Kyuichi, Kimura Gaku, Kinoshita Masataka, Hiroko Kitajima, Saffer Demian, Yamaguchi Asuka, Maeda Lena, Eguchi Nobuhisa, Toczko Sean
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2019年大会
  • Invited
• [Presentation] 南海トラフ地震歪蓄積域における岩石強度と応力状態: NanTroSEIZE Site C0002における解析 (2019)
  • Author(s): 廣瀬 丈洋、濱田 洋平、北村 真奈美、北島 弘子、曽根 大貴、Saffer Demian、Tobin Harold
  • Organizer: 日本地質学会第126年学術大会
• [Presentation] エンセラダスの海底下地震断層運動の再現実験 (2019)
  • Author(s): 廣瀬 丈洋、渋谷 岳造
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2019年大会
• [Presentation] A new hydrothermal, low to high speed rotary-shearing apparatus: Reproduction of slow/megathrust earthquakes in laboratory (2019)
  • Author(s): Hirose Takehiro, Tanikawa Wataru, Hamada Yohei, Okazaki Keishi
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2019年大会
• [Presentation] Paleotemperature anomalies deduced from thermal-maturity parameters within the decollement, off Cape of Muroto, Japan (2019)
  • Author(s): Kamiya Nana, Hirose Takehiro, Yamamoto Yuzuru, Hamada Yohei, Bowden Stephen, Tsang Man-Yin, Yang Kiho, Tonai Satoshi, Lin Weiren
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2019年大会
• [Presentation] Frictional properties of opal gouge at low-temperature hydrothermal conditions and their implications for seismogenic faulting along subduction-zone megathrusts (2019)
  • Author(s): Kanagawa Kyuichi, Nakanishi Tomoya, Kuwana Morito, Sawai Michiyo, Hirose Takehiro
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2019年大会
• [Presentation] Coexistence of soft and hard sediments at deep Nankai accretionary prism, NanTro SEIZE Project, IODP Exp.358 (2019)
  • Author(s): Sakaguchi Arito, Strasser Michael, Hamahashi Mari, Hirose Takehiro, Kitajima Hiroko, Expedition 358 Scientists IODP
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2019年大会
• [Presentation] 地震断層運動に伴うオリビン結晶内のFeの酸化還元状態変化 (2019)
  • Author(s): 廣瀬 丈洋、中田 亮一、岡崎 啓史、渋谷 岳造
  • Organizer: 日本地質学会第126年学術大会
• [Presentation] 地震断層の強度回復過程に対する間隙水の流速が及ぼす影響 (2019)
  • Author(s): 濱田 洋平、廣瀬 丈洋、谷川 亘
  • Organizer: 日本地質学会第126年学術大会
• [Presentation] 付加体深部における硬堆積岩と未固結堆積物の共存 (2019)
  • Author(s): 坂口 有人、Strasser Michael、 浜橋 真理、廣瀬 丈洋、北島 弘子
  • Organizer: 日本地質学会第126年学術大会
• [Presentation] Change in redox conditions by a quake in the interior of planets (2019)
  • Author(s): Hirose Takehiro, Nakada Ryoichi, Okazaki Keishi, Shibuya Takazo
  • Organizer: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2019
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Attempted Ultradeep Drilling to the Nankai Trough Subduction Zone Plate Boundary: The Saga of IODP NanTroSEIZE Expedition 358 (2019)
  • Author(s): Tobin Harold, Hirose Takehiro, Ikari Matt, Kanagawa Kyuichi, Kimura Gaku, Kinoshita Masataka, Hiroko Kitajima, Saffer Demian, Yamaguchi Asuka, Maeda Lena, Toczko Sean, Eguchi Nobuhisa
  • Organizer: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2019
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Fracture energy of Cascadia input sediments integrated into a global compilation (2019)
  • Author(s): Seyler Caroline, Kirkpatrick James, Savage Heather, Hirose Takehiro, Faulkner Daniel
  • Organizer: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2019
  • Int'l Joint Research