Skip to main content

Volume 56 Supplement 12

Special Issue: Slip and Flow Processes in and below the Seismogenic Region (2)

  • Letter
  • Published:

Ground uplift detected by precise leveling in the Ontake earthquake swarm area, central Japan in 2002–2004

Abstract

Repeated precise leveling in the earthquake swarm area of Ontake, central Japan has revealed uplift of 3–6 mm in proximity to the epicentral region of the most active earthquake cluster in 2002–2004. Although the uplift is small, the vertical displacement is significant even considering leveling error. This uplift is associated with increases in 3He/4He ratios and CO2 δ13C values at a mineral spring in the region, indicating an upper mantle contribution. A region of low resistivity at a depth of 2 km beneath the uplift area has also been inferred, suggesting that the observed uplift is related to changes in a shallow seismogenic layer due to increased hydrothermal input from the earthquake swarm area.

References

  • Haskell, N. A., The motion of a viscous fluid under a surface load, Physics, 6, 265–269, 1936.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, P. D., J. O. Langbein, S. Prejean, Relations between seismicity and deformation during unrest in Long Valley Caldera, California, from 1995 through 1999, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 127, 175–193, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horiuchi, S., K. Takai, Y. Iio, and S. Zheng, High sampling frequency seismic array at Ootaki, Nagano Prefecture: Stress drop distribution and seismic velocity change, Proceedings of the International Workshop on Physics of Active Fault, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howle, J. F., J. O. Langbein, C. D. Farrar, and S. K. Wilkinson, Deformation near the Casa Diablo geothermal well field and related processes Long Valley caldera, Eastern California, 1993–2000, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 127, 365–390, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iio, Y., S. Ohmi, R. Ikeda, E. Yamamoto, H. Ito, H. Sato, Y. Kuwahara, T. Ohminato, B. Shibazaki, and M. Ando, Slow initial phase generated by micro-earthquakes occurring in the Western Nagano Prefecture, Japan: the source effect, Geophys. Res. Lett, 26, 1969–1972, 1999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iio, Y., S. Horiuchi, K. Yamamoto, Y. Kobayashi, S. Ohmi, R. Ikeda, E. Yamamoto, H. Sato, and H. Ito, Three- dimensional P and S wave velocity structures in the aftershock area of the 1984 Western Nagano prefecture, Japan Earthquake: Implications for the relationship between structures and earthquake occurrences, Proceedings of the International Workshop on Physics of Active Fault, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ito, K., Seismogenic layer, reflective lower crust, surface heat flow and large inland earthquakes, Tectonophysics, 306, 423–433, 1999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ito, K. and H. Wada, Geo-thermal structure and seismic activity beneath Hida Mountai region, Monthly Earth, 18, 123–128, 1995 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasaya, T., N. Oshiman, N. Sumitomo, M. Uyeshima, Y. Iio, and D. Uehara, Resistivity structure around hypocental area of the 1984 Nagano Prefecture earthquake in central Japan, Earth Planets Space, 54, 107–118, 2002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimata, F. and R. Miyajima, Ground deformation detected by precise leveling around Ontake earthquake swarm area in September 1999 to April 2000, Bulletin of Tono Earthquake Science Institute, 6, 91–96, 2001 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimata, F., R. Miyajima, M. Murase, M. Irwan, D. Darmawan, D. Solim, and Y. Ohta, Vertical movements detected by precise leveling at the Ontake earthquake swarm area in the period of 1999–2003: Upheaval at Yashikino Area, Bulletin of Tono Earthquake Science Institute, 10, 69–75, 2003 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mogi, K., Relation between the eruptions of various volcanoes and the deformations of the ground surfaces around them, Bull. Earthq. Res. Inst. Tokyo, 36, 99–134, 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagoya University, Temporal variations of seismic activity in the southeastern Ontake volcano (1977–1998), Report of the Coordinating Community for Volcano Eruption Prediction, 74, 64–68, 1999 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Orsi, G., L. Civetta, C. D. Gaudio, S. Vitta, M. A. Vito, R. Isaia, S. M. Petrazzuoli, G. P. Ricciardic, and C. Ricco, Short-term ground deformations and seismicity in the resurgent Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy): an example of active block-resurgence in a densely populated area, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 91, 415–451, 1999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pelton, J. R. and R. B. Smith, Contemporary vertical surface displacements in Yellowstone National Park, J. Geophys. Res., 87, 2745–2761, 1982.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takahata, N., R. Yokochi, Y. Nishio, and Y. Sano, Volatile element isotope systematics at Ontake volcano, Jpn, Geochem. J., 37, 299–310, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, A. and H. Ito, Temperature at base of the seismogenic zone and its relationship to the focal depth of Western Nagano Prefecture area, J. Seism. Soc. Jpn., 55, 1–10, 2002 (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fumiaki Kimata.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kimata, F., Miyajima, R., Murase, M. et al. Ground uplift detected by precise leveling in the Ontake earthquake swarm area, central Japan in 2002–2004. Earth Planet Sp 56, e45–e48 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03353324

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03353324

Key words