Yusuke Yamaya

Resistivity imaging across the source region of the 2004 Mid-Niigata Prefecture earthquake (M6.8), central Japan

Across the source region of the 2004 Mid-Niigata Prefecture earthquake, wideband magnetotelluric (MT) survey was performed just after the onset of the mainshock. Owing to the temporal stop of the DC powered railways around the area together with intense geomagnetic activity, we obtain MT records with excellent quality for both short and long period data, as long as 10,000 s. Two dimensional regional strike is evaluated with the aid of the Groom-Bailey tensor decomposition together with induction vector analysis. As a result, N15°W is determined for the strike. This strike is oblique to the local geological trend and also to the strike of the main shock source fault together with aftershock distribution of N35°E. Two dimensional resistivity structure is determined with the aid of an ABIC inversion code, where static shift is considered and estimated. Characteristics of the structure are as follows. (1) About 10 km thick sedimentary layer exists on the top. (2) A conductive body exists in the lower crust beneath the source region. The mainshock occurred at the boundary of the conductive sedimentary layer and a resistive basement beneath it and aftershocks occurred in the sedimentary layer. From geological studies, it is reported that the sedimentary layer was formed in the extensional rift-structure from Miocene to Pleistocene and has been thickened by compressional tectonic regime in the late Quaternary. Interstitial fluids or clay minerals, which reduce the sedimentary layer resistivity, control the reactivation of the normal fault as the mainshock thrust fault and aftershock activity. The second conductive body probably indicates existence of fluids in the depths as well. Such a conductive layer in the lower crust was also revealed by previous MT experiments along the Niigata-Kobe Tectonic Zone and probably plays a main role in concentration of strain rate along the zone.

Three‐dimensional resistivity structure and magma plumbing system of the Kirishima Volcanoes as inferred from broadband magnetotelluric data

Broadband magnetotelluric (MT) measurements were conducted in 2010 and 2011 in the vicinity of Shinmoe-dake Volcano in the Kirishima volcano group, Japan, where sub-Plinian eruptions took place 3 times during 26–27 January 2011. By combining the new observations with previous MT data, it is found that an anomalous phase in excess of 90° is commonly observed in the northern sector of the Kirishima volcano group. Because the anomalous phase is not explained by 1-D or 2-D structure with isotropic resistivity media, 3-D inversions were performed. By applying small errors to the anomalous phase, we successfully estimated a 3-D resistivity structure that explains not only the normal data but also the anomalous phase data. The final model shows a vertical conductor that is located between a deep-seated conductive body (at a depth greater than 10 km) and a shallow conductive layer. By applying the findings of geophysical and petrological studies of the 2011 sub-Plinian eruptions, we infer that the subvertical conductor represents a zone of hydrothermal aqueous fluids at temperatures over 400°C, in which a magma pathway (interconnected melt) is partially and occasionally formed before magmatic eruptions. To the north of the deep conductor, earthquake swarms occurred from 1968 to 1969, suggesting that these earthquakes were caused by volcanic fluids.

Resistivity structure around the focal area of the 2004 Rumoi-Nanbu earthquake (M 6.1), northern Hokkaido, Japan

The Rumoi-Nanbu earthquake (M 6.1) occurred in northern Hokkaido, Japan, on December 14, 2004. We conducted MT surveys along three profiles in and around the focal area to delineate and decipher the structural features of the seismogenic zone. The inverted 2-D resistivity images of the three sections comprised two layers: an upper conductive layer and a lower resistive layer. The boundary of these layers lay at a depth of approximately 3–5 km. A comparison with the surface geology and drilling data revealed that the upper conductive layer and the lower resistive layer corresponded to the Cretaceous—Tertiary sedimentary rocks and older basement rocks, respectively. A clear upheaval of the layer boundary was found along the profile at the center of the focal area. In addition, borehole data indicated an obvious increase in the Young’s modulus toward the lower layer. Therefore, the elastic properties with a complex geometry around the focal zone tended to vary; this probably depicts the zone of stress accumulation that triggered the earthquake.

Resistivity and density modelling in the 1938 Kutcharo earthquake source area along a large caldera boundary

We present the crustal structure around the fault zone pertaining to the 1938 Kutcharo earthquake (M 6.0), northern Japan, to consider why large earthquakes have occurred around calderas. The study was based on gravity anomalies and magnetotelluric and direct-current (DC) electrical-resistivity survey data. The density structure obtained from gravity anomalies indicated that the fault plane corresponded to the main depression boundary of the Kutcharo caldera. The resistivity section, based on audio-frequency magnetotelluric surveys, indicated that the estimated fault plane was located along the boundary of resistivity blocks, which also corresponded to the depression boundary. A detailed resistivity section in the ruptured zone revealed by a DC electrical-resistivity survey showed a discontinuity of layers, implying cumulative fault displacements. These results indicate that the 1938 earthquake was an abrupt slip along the main depression boundary of the Kutcharo caldera. The most likely hypothesis pertains to fluid intrusion along the depression boundary. However, additional seismic and geodetic studies are required to identify other feasible earthquake mechanisms.

A large hydrothermal reservoir beneath Taal Volcano (Philippines) revealed by magnetotelluric observations and its implications to the volcanic activity

Taal Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. The magnetotelluric 3D forward analyses indicate the existence of a large high resistivity anomaly (∼100 Ω·m) with a volume of at least 3 km × 3 km × 3 km, which is capped by a conductive layer (∼10 Ω·m), beneath the Main Crater. This high resistivity anomaly is hypothesized to be a large hydrothermal reservoir, consisting of the aggregate of interconnected cracks in rigid and dense host rocks, which are filled with hydrothermal fluids coming from a magma batch below the reservoir. The hydrothermal fluids are considered partly in gas phase and liquid phase. The presence of such a large hydrothermal reservoir and the stagnant magma below may have influences on the volcano’s activity. Two possibilities are presented. First, the 30 January 1911 explosion event was a magmatic hydrothermal eruption rather than a base-surge associated with a phreato-magmatic eruption. Second, the earlier proposed four eruption series may be better interpreted by two cycles, each consisting of series of summit and flank eruptions.

Gas pathways and remotely triggered earthquakes beneath Mount Fuji, Japan

Large earthquakes sometimes trigger local seismicity that is distal to their rupture zones. Various mechanisms for this triggered seismicity have been proposed, based on either the static stress change or ground shaking from seismic waves, but local geological structure is rarely studied to discern why this seismicity is remotely induced. We present the results of a joint three-dimensional resistivity and isotopic analysis of the groundwater system surrounding Mount Fuji, Japan, where increased seismicity was observed following the A.D. 2011 Tohoku-Oki megathrust earthquake. An electrically conductive zone and high concentrations of magmatic gases (He and CO2) correspond to the zone of triggered seismicity. In contrast, a contribution of magmatic water is not suggested from 2H (deuterium, D) and 18O isotope ratios. These results suggest that the earthquakes were triggered within a fractured zone through which magmatic gases preferentially migrated. We hypothesize that the upwelling of gas-rich hydrous fluids and/or gas bubbles occurred along this fracture pathway, causing an increase in the pore pressure and triggering the resultant earthquake sequence.

Crustal structure and fluid distribution beneath the southern part of the Hidaka collision zone revealed by 3‐D electrical resistivity modeling

The Hidaka collision zone, where the Kurile and northeastern (NE) Japan arcs collide, provides a useful study area for elucidating the processes of arc-continent evolution and inland earthquakes. To produce an image of the collision structure and elucidate the mechanisms of anomalously deep inland earthquakes such as the 1970 Hidaka earthquake (M6.7), we conducted magnetotelluric observations and generated a three-dimensional resistivity distribution in the southern part of the Hidaka collision zone. The modeled resistivity was characterized by a high resistivity area in the upper crust of the Kurile arc corresponding to metamorphic rocks. The model also showed conductive zones beneath the center of the collision zone. The boundary between the resistive and conductive areas corresponds geometrically to the Hidaka main thrust, which is regarded as the arc-arc boundary. The correspondence supports the collision model that the upper-middle part of crust in the Kurile arc is obducting over the NE Japan arc. The conductive areas were interpreted as fluid-filled zones associated with collision processes and upwelling of dehydrated fluid from the subducting Pacific slab. The fluid flow possibly contributes to over-pressurized conduction that produces deep inland earthquakes. We also observed a significant conductive anomaly beneath the area of Horoman peridotite, which may be related to the uplift of mantle materials to the surface.

Three‐dimensional resistivity structure in Ishikari Lowland, Hokkaido, northeastern Japan—Implications to strain concentration mechanism

Rights Copyright 2017 American Geophysical Union. Yamaya, Y., T. Mogi, R. Honda, H. Hase, T. Hashimoto, and M. Uyeshima (2017), Three-dimensional resistivity structure in Ishikari Lowland, Hokkaido, northeastern Japan̶Implications to strain concentration mechanism, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 18, 735‒754, doi:10.1002/2016GC006771. To view the published open abstract, go to http://dx.doi.org and enter the DOI. Type article

Introduction to the Gravity Database (GALILEO) Compiled by the Geological Survey of Japan, AIST

The Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ), which is a section of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), has conducted gravity surveys throughout Japan. The GSJ launched the online gravity database known as “GALILEO” on the GSJ website. The GALILEO source data are included in the Gravity CD-ROM/DVD of Japan from the GSJ. GALILEO supports three main functions: (1) browsing and downloading of raster data (with or without accompanying descriptions) or vector data (e.g., KMZ files), (2) comparisons of gravity maps with geological or topographic maps of the same area (using a JAVA applet), and (3) on-demand mapping using Generic Mapping Tools, which enables GALILEO users to visualize Bouguer anomaly maps on different assumed densities of the surface rocks. These quick views of the gravity anomaly maps through GALILEO are useful for users accessing the database. Gravity data compiled by the GSJ have contributed towards a better understanding of various aspects of the geology of Japan, especially as related to disaster prediction and response.