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Research Center for Earthquake Prediction
Disaster Prevention Research Institute
Kyoto University
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Map for RCEP
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Studies on science based predictions of large earthquakes at plate boundaries and on shore faults on the basis of observational activities:
The Research Center for Earthquake Prediction (RCEP) carries out many aspects of seismic research related to earthquake sources, seismic velocity structures, distributions of earthquakes in Southwest Japan, and laboratory investigations.
These studies contribute to the long-term goals of earthquake prediction and mitigating earthquake damage.
The Center closely cooperates with the Earthquake Hazards Research Division
on research projects and observational activities and is also involved
in collaborative projects with other universities.
During the first half of this century, the probable occurrence of a great earthquake along the Nankai trough is reaching a peak; also large damaging earthquakes on onshore faults in southwest Japan appear to be occurring more frequently.
In this active seismic period, the Center focuses its efforts into three
main areas:
(1) Prediction of the earthquakes at plate boundaries, such as the future
Nankai earthquake,
(2) Studies of onshore earthquakes in southwest Japan,
(3) Efforts to provide earthquake information to other disciplines and
the public as well as education of students. |
OBSERVATORIES
Crustal activity is associated with geophysical and geody-namical processes of the Earth. We are responsible to detect, analyze and interpret the crustal activity by integrating a vari-ety of instruments and methods (e.g., broadband seismome-ters, extensometers, tiltmeters and GPS), in particular, to un-derstand the mechanism of earthquakes and finally for earth-quake prediction. We also strive to develop new instruments and new methods to accurately detect and map crustal activity. One of important topics at present is to detect and map slow and silent events in crust and upper mantles, which can span from hours and/or days to months and/or years.
The List of Laboratories and Observatories
Modeling of the Generation Process of Subduction Zone Earthquake:
In order to promote the research on forecast of subduction zone earthquakes which recur along the Nankai trough, studi-es of accumulation process of stress and strain in their source region using seismic and geodetic observations have been conducted. Besides, the estimation and modeling of detailed structure around the plate boundary by means of seismic ex-plorations have been done. The development of evaluation method of strain energy build-up process on the basis of the above results is our goal. Case studies on great earthquakes such as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake are also made.
The main themes of this division are as follows:
1) Study of crustal deformations along the Nankai trough with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), GPS etc.,
2) Estimate of interplate coupling based on the results of crustal deformation observations,
3) Study of temporal variation in crustal deformations with extensometers and tiltmeters,
4) Study of seismic velocity structure around the northern edge of the Philippine Sea plate with seismic exploration,
5) Geodetic studies of great earthquakes in the world with SAR and GPS
The List of Laboratories and Observatories
It is well known that seismic activities in the intraplate re-gion in southwest Japan become high before a great plate boundary thrust earthquake along the Nankai trough. In order to reduce disasters by these intraplate earthquakes, we con-duct researches to clarify the process by which intraplate earthquakes are generated, which is not well known at present, and to develop a new method of forecasting the occurrence of intraplate earthquakes. Major research topics are as follows.
Stress accumulation process on intraplate earthquake faults resulting from heterogeneities in the lower crust
Origin of the anomalous seismic activities and strain rates in the central Kinki district
Dynamics and earthquake generation process in the Nii-gata-Kobe tectonic zone
Anelastic deformation in the upper crust
Development of a new method to infer precise locations of earthquake faults, and hypocenters and asperities of large earthquakes.
The List of Laboratories and Observatories
Database has been constructed for seismic activity, crustal movement, and other geophysical observations, with ex-changing seismic data with other universities and national re-search agencies. Information for crustal activity and long-term earthquake prediction has been assessed based on the re-searches using this database; seismicity in southwest Japan, structural properties in the earthquake source area, space-time variation of earthquake generating properties. Basic surveys of tectonic structures and active faults have been planned and executed.
The List of Laboratories and Observatories
Development of observations and measurements in bore-holes:
Developments of new experimental methods in the field and laboratory are being carried out. New methods applica-ble in boreholes near active faults, such as the Nojima fault, are being used to record and analysis various data, associated with earthquake occurrences, to clarify the preparation proc-ess of earthquakes.
The recent themes of this division are as follows:
1) Broadband hydroseismograms (pore pressure) monitoring by closed borehole wells to see the change of rock stress due to barometric pressure, earth tide, free oscillation and seismic events.
2) Monitoring AE events using hydrophone in to the borehole at active fault zone.
The List of Laboratories and Observatories
Monitoring of seismic process and seismic activity with in-tegrated observations:
In situ and real-time observations of current crustal phe-nomena using various geophysical methods are carried out at the specified local area. Observation instruments are deployed temporarily, but with density higher than that of permanent observation networks for precise analyses. The main research subjects are as follows:
1) Urgent observation for aftershocks of the large earthquakes
2) Crustal structure survey using the artificial seismic sources
3) The temporal observations with the dense seismic network in the specified local regions
4) The temporal and/or periodical observations on geodetic, gravitational and geoelecto-magnetical methods in the specified local regions
The List of Laboratories and Observatories
Studies of characteristics of the crust and mantle:
Studies on the mechanical and chemical characteristics of material in the crust and mantle are carried out to refine knowledge of the seismogenic environment. Also studies on the deformation and stress accumulation process at the sub-duction zone and the inland area. Risk evaluation on the su-per-great earthquake is also included.
The List of Laboratories and Observatories
Hongo2296-2, Kamitakara-machi, Takayama, Gifu 506-1317
Tel. (0578) 6-2350
Shimo-Kitayama 29, Shimoshinjo-cho, Sabae, Fukui 916-0034
Tel. (0778) 52-2494
Nasahara944, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1041
Tel. (072) 694-8848, 8849
286-2, Kitazono 1 chome, Tottori 680-0004
Tel. (0857) 29-0949
The List of Laboratories and Observatories
Anamushi 3280, Kashiba, Nara 639-0252
Tel. (0745) 77-7345
Osaka 1 chome, Otsu Shiga 520-0054
Tel. (0775) 24-0272
Ishii 2642-3, Ishii, Myozai-gun, Tokushima 779-3233
Tel. (088) 637-4013
Kaeda 3884, Miyazaki 889-2161
Tel. (0985) 65-1161
The List of Laboratories and Observatories
CRUSTAL ACTIVITY EVALUATION
KAMITAKARA OBSERVATORY