The Effect of Fluid Thermal Expansivity on Thermo-mechanical Solitary Shock Waves in the Underground of Volcanic Domains

This work is a further development of the modern thermo-poro-elasticity theory which has recently been applied to understand how fluid-rock coupling dynamics related to unrest episodes in volcanic domains can both determine, and occur with, ground deformation and rock fracturing processes. In particular by reformulating the energy equation, one of the two nonlinear heat-like equations upon which the thermo-poroelasticity theory is based, it is shown here how fluid thermal expansivity may influence fluid migration during its movement through subsurface volcanic porous-per meable horizons. With these new considerations it is found that a recent theory in which fluid-rock coupling dynamics is interpreted in terms of thermal and mechanical solitary shock wave propagation remains valid. However, the natural time scale of the propagating wave is reduced and consequently Darcy’s velocity is increased as a result of fluid thermal expansivity.