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

Earth, Planets and Space volume 61, pages 345–356 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

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.

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Author notes

  1. Hiroshi Ichihara

    Present address: Earthquake Research Institute, the University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Seismology and Volcanology, Hokkaido University, N10W8 Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan

    Hiroshi Ichihara, Toru Mogi, Hideaki Hase, Tomonori Watanabe & Yusuke Yamaya

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  1. Hiroshi Ichihara
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  2. Toru Mogi
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  3. Hideaki Hase
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  4. Tomonori Watanabe
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  5. Yusuke Yamaya
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Correspondence to Hiroshi Ichihara.

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Ichihara, H., Mogi, T., Hase, H. et al. Resistivity and density modelling in the 1938 Kutcharo earthquake source area along a large caldera boundary. Earth Planet Sp 61, 345–356 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03352916

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