Interplate locking condition derived from seafloor geodetic data at the northernmost part of the Suruga Trough, Japan. Issue 16 (19th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yasuda, Kenji; Tadokoro, Keiichi; Ikuta, Ryoya; Watanabe, Tsuyoshi; Nagai, Satoru; Okuda, Takashi; Fujii, Cosmo; Sayanagi, Keizo
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 41:Issue 16(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 5805
• Page End: 5811
• Publication Date: 2014-08-19
• Subjects: Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2014GL060945
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>We observed seafloor crustal deformation at two observation sites on opposite sides of the Suruga Trough off Japan from 2005 to 2011 to investigate the interplate locking condition at the source region of the anticipated great subduction earthquake, named Tokai earthquake. We estimated the displacement velocity vectors relative to the Amurian Plate on the basis of repeated observations. Our results at the two points, Suruga northeast and Suruga northwest (SNW) were 42 ± 8 mm/yr toward N94 ± 3°W and 39 ± 11 mm/yr toward N84 ± 9°W, respectively. These directions are the same as those measured at on‐land GPS stations. The magnitudes of the velocity vectors indicate a significant shortening of approximately 4 mm/yr between SNW and on‐land GPS stations located to the west of the Suruga Trough. The results show that the plate interface is strongly locked (no slip) shallower than the source region of the anticipated Tokai earthquake.</p> </abstract>