Spatial variation in coda Q around the Nobi fault zone, central Japan: relation to S-wave velocity and seismicity

Abstract

We investigate the spatial variation in coda Q around the Nobi fault zone in a high strain rate zone to assess the relation between coda Q, shear wave velocity, and seismicity. Waveform data were obtained from dense seismic observations. Low coda Q that follows the Niigata-Kobe Tectonic Zone in the high strain rate zone is distinct at the lowest frequency band of 1 to 2 Hz. However, at higher frequencies, such a spatial pattern in coda Q is unclear. A good positive correlation was found between coda Q at the 1- to 2-Hz frequency band and the S-wave velocity perturbation at 25-km depth, which suggests that the coda Q reflects the ductile deformation below the brittle-ductile transition zone. Furthermore, coda Q at the 1- to 2-Hz frequency band correlates negatively with seismicity at 10- to 15-km depth, which implies that there is a high stressing rate in the low coda Q area. These facts, together with results of previous studies, imply that a high deformation rate below the brittle-ductile transition zone produces the high strain rate observed by the Global Positioning System (GPS) on the surface in this region.