Masayuki Yoshimi

Finite Difference Simulations of Seismic Wave Propagation for the 2007 Mw 6.6 Niigata-ken Chuetsu-Oki Earthquake: Validity of Models and Reliable Input Ground Motion in the Near-Field

Finite difference simulations of seismic wave propagation are performed in the Niigata area, Japan, for the 2007 Mw 6.6 Niigata-ken Chuetsu-Oki earthquake at low frequencies. We test three 3D structural models built independently in various studies. First aftershock simulations are carried out. The model based on 3D tomography yields correct body waves in the near field, but later phases are imperfectly reproduced due to the lack of shallow sediment layers; other models based on various 1D/2D profiles and geological interpretation provide good site responses but generate seismic phases that may be shifted from those actually observed. Next, for the mainshock simulations, we adopt two different finite source models that differ in the near-field ground motion, especially above the fault plane (but under the sea) and then along the coastline. Each model is found to be calibrated differently for the given stations. For engineering purposes, the variations observed in simulated ground motion are significant, but for seismological purposes, additional parameter calibrations would be possible for such a complex 3D case.

Site amplification and strong ground motion of the 2007 Noto Hanto, Japan, earthquake estimated from aftershock observation

Site amplifications in the lowlands most affected by the 2007 Noto Hanto earthquake, Monzen, Anamizu, and Wajima, are examined using aftershock records observed at eight temporary seismic stations installed just after the mainshock and at two K-NET stations. The predominant frequencies of spectral ratios at alluvium sites in Anamizu and Wajima are approximately 1 Hz. Site amplifications at the alluvium sites are successfully reproduced from 1-D response analysis, except for that at ISK005 where 2-D or higher amplification effects are inferred to play a significant role. A source model composed of two asperities reproduces the ground motions of the mainshock using the empirical Green’s function method. The seismic moments of the asperities are 3.76×1018 N m and 2.21×1018 N m, respectively. Peak ground velocity (PGV) at alluvium sites during the mainshock are estimated to be 70–110 cm/s for Monzen, 50–110 cm/s for Anamizu, and 60–70 cm/s for Wajima.

Seismological asperities from the point of view of dynamic rupture modeling: the 2007 Mw6.6 Chuetsu-Oki, Japan, earthquake

We study the ground motion simulations based on three finite-source models for the 2007 Mw6.6 Niigata Chuetsu-oki, Japan, earthquake in order to discuss the performance of the input ground motion estimations for the near-field seismic hazard analysis. The three models include a kinematic source inverted from the regional accelerations, a dynamic source on a planar fault with three asperities inferred from the very-near-field ground motion particle motions, and another dynamic source model with conjugate fault segments. The ground motions are calculated for an available 3D geological model using a finite-difference method. For the comparison, we apply a goodness-of-fit score to the ground motion parameters at different stations, including the nearest one that is almost directly above the ruptured fault segments. The dynamic rupture models show good performance. We find that seismologically inferred earthquake asperities on a single fault plane can be expressed with two conjugate segments. The rupture transfer from one segment to another can generate a significant radiation; this could be interpreted as an asperity projected onto a single fault plane. This example illustrates the importance of the fault geometry that has to be taken into account when estimating the very-near-field ground motion.

Nonlinear Site Response at KiK‐net KMMH16 (Mashiki) and Heavily Damaged Sites during the 2016 Mw 7.1 Kumamoto Earthquake, Japan

Abstract Damage from severe ground motion occurred in the downtown area of Mashiki in the Kumamoto Prefecture during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, Japan; such damage was heavy in the center of the downtown area. Nonlinear site responses for the first shock and mainshock, which occurred on 14 and 16 April 2016, respectively, are important factors that explain why the area was heavily damaged. We analyzed soil nonlinearity using surface and borehole records obtained from the KiK‐net KMMH16 (Mashiki) station. From our analysis, we found that S ‐wave velocity models clearly depended on the amplitude of input ground motion. We estimated the strain‐dependent shear stiffness and damping ratio to explain this S ‐wave velocity dependence. We conducted equivalent linear analyses at the KMMH16 site, based on a nonlinear model. From these analyses, we concluded that our synthetic surface ground motions agreed well with the observed ones, especially for the S ‐wave amplitudes and phases of the first shock and mainshock noted above. In addition, we performed the same analyses at the TMP3 site, which was actually located within one of the heavily damaged zones. The synthetic motions here also agreed with the observed ones, with differences in spectral accelerations being well explained by our analyses. Our results indicated that soil nonlinearity played a major role in causing the difference of ground motions, thus leading to the heavily damaged zone in the downtown area of Mashiki.

Prestate of Stress and Fault Behavior During the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake (M7.3)

Fault behavior during an earthquake is controlled by the state of stress on the fault. Complex coseismic fault slip on large earthquake faults has recently been observed by dense seismic networks, which complicates strong motion evaluations for potential faults. Here we show the three-dimensional prestress field related to the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. The estimated stress field reveals a spatially variable state of stress that forced the fault to slip in a direction predicted by the “Wallace and Bott Hypothesis.” The stress field also exposes the pre-condition of pore fluid pressure on the fault. Large coseismic slip occurred in the low-pressure part of the fault. However, areas with highly pressured fluid also showed large displacement, indicating that the seismic moment of the earthquake was magnified by fluid pressure. These prerupture data could contribute to improved seismic hazard evaluations. Plain Language Summary The three-dimensional prestress field around the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake controlled fault behavior of the earthquake. The estimated heterogeneous state of stress on the fault forced the fault to slip in the direction predicted. The stress field also exposed the precondition of pore fluid pressure on the fault. Large coseismic slip occurred not only at the low-pressure part of the fault but also highly pressured part. It indicates that the seismic moment of the earthquake was magnified by fluid pressure. These prerupture data could contribute to upgrading seismic hazard evaluation.

Recovery process of shear wave velocities of volcanic soil in central Mashiki Town after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake revealed by intermittent measurements of microtremor

Abstract An earthquake of JMA magnitude 6.5 (foreshock) hit Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, at 21:26 JST on April 14, 2016. Subsequently, an earthquake of JMA magnitude 7.3 (main shock) hit Kumamoto and Oita Prefectures at 1:25 JST on April 16, 2016. The two epicenters were located adjacent to central Mashiki Town, and both events caused significantly strong motions. The heavy damage including collapse of residential houses was concentrated in “Sandwich Area” between Prefectural Route 28 and Akitsu River. During the main shock, we have successfully observed strong motions at TMP03 in Sandwich Area. Simultaneously with installation of the seismograph at TMP03 on April 15, 2016, between the foreshock and the main shock, a microtremor measurement was taken. After the main shock, intermittent measurements of microtremor at TMP03 were also taken within December 6, 2016. As the result, recovery process of shear wave velocities of volcanic soil at TMP03 before/after the main shock was revealed by time history of peak frequencies of the microtremor H/V spectra. Using results of original PS logging tests at proximity site of TMP03 on July 28, 2016, the applicability for the shear wave velocities to TMP03 was then confirmed based on similarity between the theoretical and monitored H/V spectra.Graphical abstract.