Modeling of the Subsurface Structure from the Seismic Bedrock to the Ground Surface for a Broadband Strong Motion Evaluation in Kumamoto Plain

Abstract

During the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, two earthquakes of seismic intensity 7 were observed in Mashiki Town, the foreshock (MJMA6.5) of April 14 and the main shock (MJMA7.3) of April 16, resulting in significant damage to structures near the fault. The distribution of damage of houses and other buildings [1] showed a tendency in which damage was concentrated in areas near the surface earthquake fault where the main shock presumably occurred. However, there were locations with slight damage even though they were immediately above the fault and locations with a relatively significant damage even though they were far from the fault. These phenomena are highly likely to be a result of soil structure. First, we built an initial geologic model by collecting boring data in areas of the Kumamoto plain near the fault where damage was severe. Next, we observed microtremors, collected earthquake observational records, and adjusted the layer thickness and S-wave velocity of the initial geologic model. Finally, we built a shallow and deep integrated ground model, compared it to the building damage distribution, and discussed the implications.