Tectonoelectric signal related with the occurrence of the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake (M7.2) and preliminary results of electromagnetic observation around the focal area

Abstract

In association with the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake, we observed changes in the telluric field by about 10 mV/km about 10 s after the origin time with some long-span electrical dipole network located at about 70 km from the epicenter. After the occurrence of the earthquake, electric and magnetic measurements such as DC resistivity, VLF-MT, self-potential, and the geomagnetic total intensity across the Nojima fault were made at several places in Awaji Island. The low resistive zone beneath the western side of the fault was found in the derived resistivity structure of the shallower portion of the fault in Hirabayashi. On the other hand, however, no significant anomaly associated with the fault structure was found from the measurements of total intensity and self-potential. Prior to the occurrence of the main shock, no geomagnetic or electric continuous stations existed near the focal area. Approximately within 1 week after the occurrence of the main shock, we set up 10 continuous observation sites for the geomagnetic total intensity in the focal area in order to detect geomagnetic changes due to stress change caused by the aftershock activity. No changes in the total intensity in association with the individual aftershock activity have been observed so far. However, systematic temporal trends in the geomagnetic differences have been observed, especially at sites in the northern half of the observation area.