Norimichi Matsuwo

Generation of block and ash flows during the 1990-1995 eruption of Unzen Volcano, Japan

Processes generating block and ash flows by gravitational dome collapse (Merapi-type pyroclastic flow) were observed in detail during the 1990–1995 eruption of Unzen volcano, Japan. Two different types were identified by analysis of video records and observations during helicopter flights. Most of the block and ash flows erupted during the 1991–1993 exogenous dome growth stage initially involved crack propagation due to cooling and flowage of the dome lava lobes. The mass around the crack became unstable, locally decreasing in tensile strength. Finally, a slab separated from the lobe front, fragmented progressively from the base to the top within a few seconds, and became a block and ash flow. Rock falls immediately followed, in response to local instability of the lobe front. Clasts in these rock falls fragmented and merged with the preceding flow. In contrast, block and ash flows during the endogenous dome growth stage in 1994 were generated due to local bulge of the dome. Unstable lava blocks collapsed and subsequently fragmented to produce block and ash flows.

Precise aftershock distribution of the 2005West Off Fukuoka Prefecture Earthquake (Mj=7.0) using a dense onshore and offshore seismic network

The 2005 West Off Fukuoka Prefecture Earthquake (Mj=7.0) occurred on March 20, 2005 in the northern part of Kyushu, Japan. To study the aftershock activity, we deployed eleven pop-up type ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs), sixteen locally recorded temporary stations, and eight telemetered temporary stations in and around the epicenter region. We combined data from these stations and permanent stations located around the aftershock area, and determined the hypocenter of the mainshock and aftershocks. The mainshock was in the northwestern central part of the aftershock region, at a depth of 9.5 km. The mainshock was on a left-lateral strike-slip fault. Aftershocks were located in a depth range of 1–16 km and laterally extend for about 25 km in a NW-SE direction. We found that the aftershocks fell into four groups. This might be due to the heterogeneous structure in the source region. In the group that includes the mainshock, we estimated two fault planes bordering on the depth of the mainshock. There are 10-degree differences in both strike and dip angles between the lower and upper planes. From the aftershock distribution and the focal mechanisms, the rupture first propagated downward, and then propagated upward.

Aftershock seismicity and fault structure of the 2005 West Off Fukuoka Prefecture Earthquake (MJMA7.0) derived from urgent joint observations

On March 20, 2005, a large MJMA7.0 earthquake occurred in the offshore area, west of Fukuoka prefecture, northern Kyushu, Japan. A series of joint observations were carried out by teams from several universities in Japan with the aim of investigating the aftershock activity. Six online telemetered and 17 offline recording seismic stations were installed on land around the aftershock area immediately followed the occurrence of the mainshock. Because aftershocks were located mainly in offshore regions, we also installed 11 ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) just above the aftershock region and its vicinity in order to obtain accurate locations of hypocenters. The OBS observation was carried out from March 27 to April 13, 2005. We further conducted temporary GPS observations in which ten GPS receivers were deployed around the aftershock region. The aftershocks were mainly aligned along an approximately 25-km-long NW-SE trend, and the hypocenters of the main aftershock region were distributed on a nearly vertical plane at depths of 2–16 km. The mainshock was located near the central part of the main aftershock region at a depth of approximately 10 km. The largest aftershock of MJMA5.8 occurred near the southeastern edge of the main aftershock region, and the aftershock region subsequently extended about 5 km in the SE direction as defined by secondary aftershock activity. Enlargement of the aftershock region did not occur after the peak in aftershock activity, and the aftershock activity gradually declined. The distribution of hypocenters and seismogenic stress as defined by aftershocks suggest that the 2005 West Off Fukuoka Prefecture Earthquake occurred on the fault that is the NW extension of the Kego fault, which extends NW-SE through the Fukuoka metropolitan area, and that the largest aftershock occurred at the northwestern tip of the Kego fault.

Three-dimensional seismic velocity structure as determined by double-difference tomography in and around the focal area of the 2005 West off Fukuoka Prefecture earthquake

On March 20, 2005 the West off Fukuoka Prefecture earthquake (magnitude of 7.0 on the JMA scale) occurred in southeastern Japan. The earthquake fault was a left-lateral strike-slip having a nearly vertical fault plane and a strike in the WNW-ESE direction. The largest aftershock with a magnitude of 5.8 (JMA) followed 1 month later. To gain more detailed aftershock data, several teams from different Japanese universities jointly installed a number of temporary seismic stations and positioned Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBSs) immediately above the focal area. Double-difference tomography was used to estimate the three-dimensional (3D) (Zhang and Thurber, 2003) velocity structures in and around the focal area based on the travel time data collected during seismic observations. The high-velocity regions estimated by the inversion are located on the edge of the aftershock area and on the shallow part of asperity, as inferred from the slip distribution. Conversely, the Vp/Vs ratio is not always as high as that found at the location of the asperity. This finding suggests that the construction of the medium is not uniformly elastic but complex, with different relations between elastic constants and strength.

Shear wave polarization anisotropy in and around the focal region of the 2005 West off Fukuoka Prefecture earthquake

Crustal shear wave polarization anisotropy is caused by the alignment of vertical microcracks. Leading shear wave polarization directions (LSPDs) are presumed to be consistent with the maximum horizontal compressional axis in many cases. We analyzed shear wave polarization anisotropy in and around the focal region of the 2005 West off Fukuoka Prefecture earthquake. Almost all of the LSPDs are oriented in the E-W direction, which is consistent with the maximum horizontal compressional axis inferred from the mechanism of the main shock. These E-to W-oriented LSPDs are caused by the alignment of stress-induced microcracks. Crack densities at most stations are estimated to be 0.02. Little spacial stress variation around focal region is suspected