Donzurubo Observatory


The observatory was established in 1967, as part of the Research Project for Earthquake Prediction in Japan, for the purpose of investigating relations between crustal movements and earthquake occurrence and finding some clues for earthquake prediction. The Observatory consists of two parts, a main building and observation vault. The main subjects now being studied are as follows:
  1. Continuous observation of crustal movements: Continuous observation of crustal strains and tilts is being carried out in the observation vaults with three silica-tube extensometers, seven super-invar-bar extensometers, and ten horizontal pendulum, and two water-tube, tiltmeters.
  2. Geodetic measurements: Electro-optical distance measurements are repeated for a base-line net founded in the neighborhood of the observatory, for the purpose of investigating horizontal strain accumulations and comparing the results of observations with extensometers in observation vaults .
  3. Seismic observation: Observations of seismic activities are being conducted in the observation vaults with high sensitivity seismographs.
  4. Synthetic investigation of methods for earthquake prediction: Attempts at determining relations between crustal movements, seismic activities and earthquake occurrence and investigations into earthquake prediction indicators are being made, through the results of various observations and measurements mentioned above.
  5. Development of observation instruments and data processing system: The development of new instruments for telemetering crustal movements and high-speed data processing systems for detailed analysis and automated data processing of geophysical data are being conducted.