Advances in gravity analyses for studying volcanoes and earthquakes

Abstract

This report highlights the usefulness and applicability of various gravimetric methods for studying earthquakes and volcanic activities. A high-resolution gravity anomaly map of Japan reveals areas with very steep horizontal gradients, where potential seismic faults are likely to be buried. Such traditional geoprospecting is coupled with novel cosmic-ray radiography to produce a fine-resolution (<100 m) three-dimensional density structure of a volcano. On the other hand, temporal gravity changes provide invaluable information about the process of earthquake faulting, volcanic eruptions, caldera formation, etc. Specifically, in this report we present our previous work on gravity research for solid earth science: (1) the first detection of coseismic gravity changes, (2) the virtual visualization of the rising and falling of magma in a conduit of Asama volcano, and (3) the large-scale lateral movement of magma during the Miyake-jima eruption in 2000.