Earthquake-related temperature changes in two neighboring hot springs at Xiangcheng, China

Pre-earthquake and postearthquake temperature changes were documented in two hot springs at Xiangcheng. Pre-earthquake changes were documented in spring I, 13days before and 106km away from the M-s 5.8 Zhongdian earthquake. The 11-year cutoff spring spouted again, and the spouted water was 24 degrees C hotter than the former escaping gas. Postearthquake changes were documented in spring II following the 2008 M-w 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, approximately 425km away from the epicenter. Temperature in spring II showed a step-like increase with a magnitude of 4 degrees C induced by the earthquake. Spring I which is 0.3m apart from spring II did not show a sudden change following the earthquake. However, temperatures in the two springs were identical after the Wenchuan earthquake. It indicates that the earthquake generated new hydraulic connectivity between springs I and II, and the heat transport between the two springs accounts for the postearthquake temperature changes.