Subduction Zone Earthquakes

Modeling of the generation process of subduction zone earthquakes. In order to contribute to the mitigation of earthquake and tsunami damage due to subduction zone earthquakes along the Nankai trough, we conduct studies on the accumulation process of stress and strain in the source region using seismic and geodetic observations. Our goal is to develop an evaluation method of the strain energy by integrating the above-mentioned and other geophysical data. We also study other great earthquakes in the world, such as the 2004 Sumatra and 2011 Tohoku earthquakes.

At present we focus on the study of inter-, co- and postseismic deformations in subduction zones with space geodetic techniques such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

Distribution of short-term slow slip events (SSEs) beneath southwest Japan estimated from GNSS observations: Along the Nankai trough, the Philippine Sea plate subducts beneath the Japanese islands and a megathrust earthquake is anticipated. Recently, events where the plate interface slips for several days were discovered. These short-term SSEs occur on the downdip extension of the anticipated source region of the earthquake. We, therefore, study the short-term slow slip and its relationship with the earthquake.

Faculty Members

  • ProfessorManabu Hashimoto

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  • Associate ProfessorTakuya Nishimura

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  • Assistant ProfessorYusuke Yamashita

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