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Hypocenter distribution of plate boundary zone off Fukushima, Japan, derived from ocean bottom seismometer data

Earth, Planets and Space volume 57, pages 93–105 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Microearthquake observation using Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBSs) was carried out to obtain a detailed distribution of microearthquakes beneath the area off Fukushima, in the middle section of the Japan Trench in the summer of 1997. The observation period spanned approximately one month. Almost all of the well-determined hypocenters occurred in the vicinity of the plate boundary in this region (approximately 100 km landward of the trench axis), while seismicity is markedly lower between this area and the trench itself. The seaward limit of the high seismicity region is close to the western end of the zone of direct contact between the oceanic crust and the overriding landward crust. Twenty-nine earthquakes were recorded within the overriding landward plate. Twelve earthquakes were recorded about 30 km below the plate boundary, and form a landward dipping plane that appears to be an up-dip continuation of the lower plane of the double seismic zone. The microseismicity characteristics of the plate boundary region are interpreted to be controlled by the geometry and physical properties of the plate interface. The seismic activity in the lower seismic plane near the trench is considered to relate to bending of the subducting plate and to dehydration of serpentinized Pacific Plate mantle.

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Author notes

  1. Takashi Yoshizawa

    Present address: St. Cecilia Girls’ Junior and Senior High School, Minami-rinkan 3-10-1, Yamato, Kanagawa, 242-0006, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan

    Masanao Shinohara

  2. Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan

    Ryota Hino & Minoru Nishino

  3. Graduate School of Science and Technology, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan

    Takashi Yoshizawa

  4. Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan

    Toshinori Sato

  5. Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, 237-0061, Japan

    Kiyoshi Suyehiro

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  1. Masanao Shinohara
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Correspondence to Masanao Shinohara.

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Shinohara, M., Hino, R., Yoshizawa, T. et al. Hypocenter distribution of plate boundary zone off Fukushima, Japan, derived from ocean bottom seismometer data. Earth Planet Sp 57, 93–105 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03352553

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