Distribution of crustal fluids in Northeast Japan as inferred from resistivity surveys

We carried out magnetotelluric (MT) surveys in central northeastern Japan. Two-dimensional resistivity profiles along three survey lines show similar features each other. By comparing the resistivity distribution to the distribution of seismic velocities, we inferred the distribution and flow of crustal fluids. Three fluid flow paths were detected based on the distribution of regions of low resistivity. The first path ascends from the top of the upper mantle. passes through the lower crust, and reaches the surface, forming a fluid chamber within the lower or middle crust. This path is related to the volcanic activity in the backbone range. The second path rises from the first fluid chamber and has produced small fluid reservoirs on both sides of the backbone range. These small reservoirs are considered to be related to the seismicity of the region. The third path is located to the east of the volcanic front and represents another fluid flow path from the uppermost mantle to the lower crust that may have formed a small fluid reservoir to the east of the volcanic front. (C) 2009 International Association for Gondwana Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.