We analyzed the 3-D resistivity structure beneath Naruko volcano, northeastern Japan, with the aim of imaging 3-D distribution of fluids in the crust for its volcanic and seismogenic implications. The data were recorded at 77 sites in total: 30 sites are new and are arranged in an approximately 5 × 5 km grid whereas the remaining older sites constitute two separate east-west profiles. We ran a 3-D inversion using full components of impedance tensors in the period range between 0.13 and 400 s. The resulting model showed that a sub-vertical conductor exists a few kilometers below Naruko volcano. The conductor extends from the surface of the volcano and dips towards the south, away from the volcano towards the backbone range. High levels of seismicity are observed in the upper crust above and around the conductors. We suggest that the seismicity is fluid driven and that a fluid trap is created by the precipitation of quartz owing to a reduction in solubility at shallow depth. The Quaternary volcanic front is characterized by a sharp resistivity contrast and a high-resistivity zone and extends 10 to 15 km towards the east. A fore-arc conductor was observed at mid-crustal levels even farther towards the east. The sub-vertical conductors along the arc and the fore-arc conductor have resistivities of 1 to 10 Ωm. Assuming a Hashin-Shtrikman model with saline fluids of 0.1-Ωm resistivity, a porosity of 1.5% to 15% is required to explain the observed conductive anomalies.

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Ionic electrical conductivity of NaCl‐H2O fluid as a function of pressure (0.2–2.0 GPa), temperature (673–2000 K), and NaCl concentration (0.6–9.6 wt %) was investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Conductivity versus NaCl concentration has a nonlinear relationship due to the presence of electrically neutral ion pairs in concentrated solutions. The calculated conductivity at 0.6 wt % NaCl is consistent with the available experimental data, and the calculated conductivity at higher temperatures shows a greater degree of pressure dependence. The major factors controlling the conductivity are the density of the NaCl‐H2O fluid and the permittivity of solvent H2O. A purely empirical equation for deriving the conductivity was proposed. Highly conductive zones below a depth of 35 km in the middle portion of the continental crust can be interpreted by the presence of NaCl‐H2O fluid with the salinity ranging from 0.2 to 7.0 wt %. A highly conductive zone observed at a depth of 20 to 40 km above the subducting oceanic crust in Cascadia can be explained by the presence of low‐salinity (0.5 wt %) NaCl‐H2O fluid possibly generated by the dehydration of basalt.

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