scholarly journals The Thermal Effects of Plate‐Bending‐Related Thickening of the Oceanic Crustal Aquifer in the Nankai Trough and Japan Trench Subduction Zones

2019 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 1205-1221
Author(s):  
A. C. Lucero ◽  
G. A. Spinelli ◽  
J. He
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Effects ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Nankai Trough ◽  
Japan Trench ◽  
Plate Bending

Recent advances in GNSS-A observation technology and networks and latest observation results around Japan Islands

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuke Yokota ◽  
Tadashi Ishikawa ◽  
Shun-ichi Watanabe ◽  
Yuto Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Surface Deformation ◽  
Nankai Trough ◽  
Detection Sensitivity ◽  
Japan Trench ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Coupling Condition ◽  
Slow Slip Events ◽  
Combination Technique

<p>Our research group has been studying advanced GNSS-A (Global Navigation Satellite System – Acoustic ranging combination) technique over two decades. In recent years, detection sensitivity of GNSS-A observations has been sophisticated by improving the accuracy and frequency of analysis technology and acoustic systems [e.g., Yokota et al., 2018, MGR; Ishikawa et al., in prep]. The current observation frequency is more than 4 times/year, the observation accuracy for each observation is less than 2 cm, and it can detect a steady deformation rate of 1 cm/year or less and an unsteady fluctuation of 5 cm or less. Also, efforts are being made to strengthen the observation network.</p><p>GNSS-A observations for the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake and its postseismic field revealed the details of the crustal deformation field on the Japan Trench side [Sato et al., 2011, Science; Watanabe et al., 2014, GRL]. The long-term observation data in the Nankai Trough region revealed the strain accumulation process at the interseismic period [Yokota et al., 2016, Nature; Watanabe et al., 2018, JGR; Nishimura et al., 2018, Geosphere]. Furthermore, detection and monitoring of large-scale slow slip events (SSEs) in the shallow part of the Nankai Trough was achieved by recent sensitivity improvements [Yokota & Ishikawa, 2020, Science Advances]. The detected postseismic fields, coupling condition and shallow SSEs contain universal features that should be shared in many subduction zones. Here, along with the latest observations, we discuss spatial and temporal relationships of these events, strain accumulations and releases along subduction zones around Japan by GNSS-A and its impact on slow earthquake science.</p><p>Recently, because of the need for continuous monitoring a shallow SSE, the monitoring ability of GNSS-A was also investigated. It was confirmed that relatively large-scale shallow SSE (surface deformation: > 5 cm) could be monitored. However, the ability to determine the time constant of an SSE is poor. For monitoring the detail of an SSE, it is essential to improve the observation frequency in the future. Here, we also discuss the technical issues to be considered and their solution plans (e.g., new platform and system).</p>

scholarly journals Improving Detectability of Seafloor Deformation From Bottom Pressure Observations Using Numerical Ocean Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoichiro Dobashi ◽  
Daisuke Inazu
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Nankai Trough ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Japan Trench ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Bottom Pressure ◽  
Seafloor Deformation ◽  
Ocean Models

We investigated ocean bottom pressure (OBP) observation data at six plate subduction zones around the Pacific Ocean. The six regions included the Hikurangi Trough, the Nankai Trough, the Japan Trench, the Aleutian Trench, the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and the Chile Trench. For the sake of improving the detectability of seafloor deformation using OBP observations, we used numerical ocean models to represent realistic oceanic variations, and subtracted them from the observed OBP data. The numerical ocean models included four ocean general circulation models (OGCMs) of HYCOM, GLORYS, ECCO2, and JCOPE2M, and a single-layer ocean model (SOM). The OGCMs are mainly driven by the wind forcing. The SOM is driven by wind and/or atmospheric pressure loading. The modeled OBP was subtracted from the observed OBP data, and root-mean-square (RMS) amplitudes of the residual OBP variations at a period of 3–90 days were evaluated by the respective regions and by the respective numerical ocean models. The OGCMs and SOM driven by wind alone (SOMw) contributed to 5–27% RMS reduction in the residual OBP. When SOM driven by atmospheric pressure alone (SOMp) was added to the modeled OBP, residual RMS amplitudes were additionally reduced by 2–15%. This indicates that the atmospheric pressure is necessary to explain substantial amounts of observed OBP variations at the period. The residual RMS amplitudes were 1.0–1.7 hPa when SOMp was added. The RMS reduction was relatively effective as 16–42% at the Hikurangi Trough, the Nankai Trough, and the Japan Trench. The residual RMS amplitudes were relatively small as 1.0–1.1 hPa at the Nankai Trough and the Chile Trench. These results were discussed with previous studies that had identified slow slips using OBP observations. We discussed on further accurate OBP modeling, and on improving detectability of seafloor deformation using OBP observation arrays.

Intraplate and petit-spot volcanism originating from hydrous mantle transition zone

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianfeng Yang ◽  
Manuele Faccenda
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Japan Trench ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Iranian Plateau ◽  
Mantle Transition Zone ◽  
Mantle Minerals ◽  
Ocean Ridges ◽  
Pacific Slab

<p>Most magmatism occurring on Earth is conventionally attributed to passive mantle upwelling at mid-ocean ridges, slab devolatilization at subduction zones, and mantle plumes. However, the widespread Cenozoic intraplate volcanism in northeast China and the peculiar petit-spot volcanoes offshore the Japan trench cannot be readily associated with any of these mechanisms. Furthermore, the seismic tomography images show remarkable low velocity zones (LVZs) sit above and below the mantle transition zone which are coincidently corresponding to the volcanism. Here we show that most if not all the intraplate/petit-spot volcanism and LVZs present around the Japanese subduction zone can be explained by the Cenozoic interaction of the subducting Pacific slab with a hydrous transition zone. Numerical modelling results indicate that 0.2-0.3 wt.% H<sub>2</sub>O dissolved in mantle minerals which are driven out from the transition zone in response to subduction and retreat of a stagnant plate is sufficient to reproduce the observations. This suggests that critical amounts of volatiles accumulated in the mantle transition zone due to past subduction episodes and/or delamination of volatile-rich lithosphere could generate abundant dynamics triggered by recent subduction event. This model is probably also applicable to the circum-Mediterranean and Turkish-Iranian Plateau regions characterized by intraplate/petit-spot volcanism and LVZs in the underlying mantle.</p>

scholarly journals Effects of plate bending and fault strength at subduction zones on plate dynamics

1999 ◽  
Vol 104 (B8) ◽  
pp. 17551-17571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clinton P. Conrad ◽  
Bradford H. Hager
Keyword(s):  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Plate Bending ◽  
Fault Strength ◽  
Plate Dynamics
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