Skip to main content

Volume 52 Supplement 11

Special Issue: Application of GPS and other space geodetic techniques to Earth Sciences (2)

  • Letter
  • Published:

Crustal movements around the Beppu Bay area, East-Central Kyushu, Japan, observed by GPS 1996–1998

Abstract

In order to detect the crustal movement in the Beppu Bay area, where the highest intra-plate strain rates in Japan is expected, precise GPS measurements have been repeatedly conducted since 1994 at one-year intervals. The result shows N-S or NNE-SSE extension taking place at a rate of more than 10 mm/yr around Beppu Bay. This is essentially consistent with the result obtained by the geodetic survey conducted over the last 100 years, and it suggests a constant rate of crustal motion over the period. The result gives a strong constraint for future modeling of the stress field recovery in the area. However, we failed to identify whether the movement occurred at any specific fault. A denser array of GPS points is needed in the area, and especially near the major faults, in order to investigate possible fault-related motion.

References

  • Hashimoto, M., Finite element modeling of the three-dimensional tectonic flow and stress field beneath the Kyushu Island, Japan, J. Phys. Earth, 33, 191–226, 1985.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Itoh, Y., K. Takamera, and H. Kamata, History of basin formation and tectonic evolution at the termination of a large transcurrent fault system: deformation modeof central Kyushu, Japan, Tectonophys., 284, 135–150, 1998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamata, H., Volcanic and structural history of the Hohi volcanic zone, central Kyushu, Japan, Volcanol., 51, 315–332, 1989.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamata, H. and K. Kodama, Tectonics of an arc-arc junction: an example from Kyushu Island at the junction of the Southwest Japan Arc and Ryukyu Arc, Tectonophys., 233, 69–81, 1994.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kusumoto, S., A study of the forming process of tectonic structures at the termination of the Median Tectonic Line and their dynamic sources, Doctor of Science Dissertations in Geophysics, Kyoto University, 1998, 22, 1999.

  • Kusumoto, S., Y. Fukuda, S. Takemoto, and Y. Yusa, Three-dimensional subsurface structure in the eastern part of the Beppu-Shimabara Graben Kyushu, Japan, as revealed by gravimetric data, J. Geod. Soc. Japan, 42, 167–181, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kusumoto, S., K. Takemura, Y. Fukuda, and S. Takemoto, Restoration of the depression structure at the eastern part of central Kyushu, Japan by means of dislocation modeling, Tectonophys., 302, 287–296, 1999a.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kusumoto, S., Y. Fukuda, and K. Takemura, Forming mechanism of the extension field near the subduction zone and transition mechanism of the stress field at the central Kyushu, Japan, Abstract presented at International Symposium on GPS in Tsukuba, Oct., 18–22, 1999, 1999b.

  • Matsumoto, Y., Some problems on volcanic activities and depression structures in Kyushu, Japan, Mem. Geol. Japan, 16, 127–139, 1979 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • NEDO (New Energy Development Organization), Regional exploration of geothermal fluid circulation system, Tsurumidake area, Natl. Geotherm. Resour. Explor. Proj. (3rd phase), 88 pp., 1990 (in Japanese).

  • Sasada, M., Basement structure of the Hohi area, Central Kyushu, Japan, J. Jpn. Geotherm. Energy Assoc., 21, 1–11, 1984 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tada, T., Separating of the Okinawa trough and its relation to the crustal deformation in Kyushu, Zisin 2, 37, 407–415, 1984 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tada, T., Crustal deformation in central Kyushu, Japan and its tectonic implication—rifting and spreading of the Beppu-Shimabara Graben—, Mem. Geol. Soc. Japan, 41, 1–12, 1993 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsukuda, E., Is the central Kyushu really rifting north to south?, Mem. Geol. Soc. Japan, 41, 149–161, 1993 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Y. Fukuda.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fukuda, Y., Itahara, M., Kusumoto, S. et al. Crustal movements around the Beppu Bay area, East-Central Kyushu, Japan, observed by GPS 1996–1998. Earth Planet Sp 52, 979–984 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03352316

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03352316

Keywords