Spatial changes in volcanic and seismic activity prior to great earthquakes

Abstract

Spatial relationship between volcanism and seismicity prior to the occurrence of several great interplate earthquakes in the circum Pacific area has been examined in order to understand the process of underthrusting in detail. The locations of the epicenters of the great earthquakes have been examined in terms of locations of concentrated volcanic and seismic activity in a short time period in order to determine if there is any relationship between these activities, and whether such relationships can be used to refine the underthrusting model. The study shows that in most cases, (1) there is no volcanic activity in the vicinity of the epicenter of the great earthquake and (2) maximum volcanic activity is localized, i.e., volcanoes adjacent to one another exhibit considerable activity in a short time period. Very little systematic spatial relationship between these three parameters is observed although in most cases, there is no volcanic activity at the time of maximum earthquake activity. Locations of active volcanoes and earthquake activity, during the five years prior to the occurrence of the great earthquake, do not appear to be a guide to the epicenter of the great earthquake. This study therefore suggests that although there is temporal relationship between the occurrence of maximum volcanic and seismic activity and the occurrence of great earthquake, there appears to be no systematic spatial relationship between these three parameters.