Earthquake distribution in the subduction zone off eastern Hokkaido, Japan, deduced from ocean-bottom seismographic and land observations

Abstract

SUMMARY In 1986, observations of microearthquakes were conducted with the use of five ocean-bottom seismometers (OBSs) on the continental slope east of the Kushiro Submarine Canyon (KSC) off Hokkaido Island, Japan. The observation area is located about 50-100 km landward of the southern Kuril Trench beneath which the Pacific Plate is subducted toward Hokkaido Island. The OBS data were analysed together with land data on Hokkaido Island to determine the precise earthquake distribution and the geometry of the subducted plate. The OBS data revealed for the first time the seaward seismicity east of KSC. High and shallow seismicity is concentrated in an area between the coast line of Hokkaido Island and the 2000 m isobath. A region between the 2000 and 4000 m isobaths corresponds to the source area of an interplate earthquake occurring in 1973 (the Nemuro Hanto-Oki earthquake, M= 7.4). The OBS array detected more than 10 events in this region. Most of them, however, are classified as earthquakes occurring within the subducted plate, and the remarkable aftershock activity of the 1973 event is not recognized. The seismic activity is extremely low between the 4000 and 6000 m isobaths as is commonly seen in subduction zones. The seismicity is also very low beneath the trench, in contrast with the adjacent trench areas. In a vertical section taken perpendicular to the trench axis, most of the located events form a seismic plane dipping landward. The dip-angle of the plane is 20d-25d beneath the continental slope, while 35d-40d under Hokkaido Island. The change in dip angle occurs 150 km landward of the trench axis. This seismic plane is located 30-40 km below the plate boundary defined from the aftershock distribution of the Nemuro Hanto-Oki event. The seismicity on the plate boundary is correlated with the geometry of the subducted plate. The high activity occurs in a restricted region where the subducted plate shows a remarkable bend. The seismic activity obtained is different from those in the adjacent regions along the southern Kuril Trench. In particular, the regional difference in seismicity is remarkable between the western and eastern sides of KSC. Our result suggests that the subduction zone along the Kuril Trench is divided into several tectonic blocks and KSC is one of their boundaries.