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A viscoelastic model of interseismic strain concentration in Niigata-Kobe Tectonic Zone of central Japan

Earth, Planets and Space volume 55, pages 667–675 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

The high strain rates of the Niigata-Kobe Tectonic Zone (NKTZ) of central Japan have been simulated using a viscoelastic finite element model of great interplate earthquake cycles that includes the subducting Pacific plate and lateral changes in crustal structure beneath NKTZ. As a result of long-term loading at trenches, the elastic crust over a viscoelastic mantle can transfer stress or strain rate not only as an average of geological time scales, but also during an interplate earthquake cycle. Thus, if the earthquake cycle is several times longer than the relaxation time of the viscoelastic system, deformation of an inland area far from trenches responds to the cycles of interplate earthquakes, and the crust deforms like an elastic sheet during the later stage of an earthquake cycle, allowing efficient transmission of stress during this period. Therefore, in the case of long interplate earthquake cycle, the NKTZ crustal structure with small thickness and rigidity enhances local interseismic strain concentration there. The “plate coupling ratio” (0.4∼0.5) between Pacific and Amurian plates and local crustal heterogeneity beneath the high strain rate zone explain the large strain rate belt if the earthquake cycle offshore Kanto is enough long.

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Author notes

  1. Mamoru Hyodo

    Present address: The Earth Simulator Center, Showa-machi 3173-25, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0001, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan

    Mamoru Hyodo

  2. Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8602, Japan

    Kazuro Hirahara

Authors
  1. Mamoru Hyodo
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  2. Kazuro Hirahara
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Correspondence to Mamoru Hyodo.

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Hyodo, M., Hirahara, K. A viscoelastic model of interseismic strain concentration in Niigata-Kobe Tectonic Zone of central Japan. Earth Planet Sp 55, 667–675 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03352473

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03352473

Key words

  • FEM
  • NKTZ
  • interplate earthquake cycles
  • Pacific plate
  • crustal structure