南海トラフ沈みこみ帯の地殻比抵抗構造

Abstract

The forearc crust along the Nankai Trough is characterized as an accretionary prism. The unconsolidated sediments on the subducting Philippine Sea plate are underplated to the southwest Japan arc, so that large amount of fluid is supplied to the accretionary prism. Such fluid could be related to various geological phenomena in the accretionary prism such as the accumulation of methane hydrate, expected as new energy resource. However, fluid distribution below the seafloor, in the forearc crust, had not been understood clearly. Marine magnetotelluric soundings around the Nankai Trough and the Kumano Basin were carried out in 2002-2003 to elucidate fluid distribution in the forearc crust. Both time series data of horizontal electric and magnetic fields were obtained at seven sites, and only electric field data were obtained at two sites. Apparent resistivity and impedance phase at each site were calculated from these observed data with removal of spike noises, and a resistivity model below the seafloor was estimated. The model resembles to a seismic reflection section. By interpreting the estimated model, fluid distribution in the accretionary prism and the upper oceanic crust is discussed: high fluid content within the accretionary prism is interpreted, especially along the splay fault. This result implies a pass way of fluid along the splay fault.