Volcanic eruptions are caused by the release of pressure that has accumulated due to hot volcanic fluids at depth. Here, we show that the extent of the regions affected by pressurized fluids can be imaged through the measurement of their response to transient stress perturbations. We used records of seismic noise from the Japanese Hi-net seismic network to measure the crustal seismic velocity changes below volcanic regions caused by the 2011 moment magnitude (M(w)) 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. We interpret coseismic crustal seismic velocity reductions as related to the mechanical weakening of the pressurized crust by the dynamic stress associated with the seismic waves. We suggest, therefore, that mapping seismic velocity susceptibility to dynamic stress perturbations can be used for the imaging and characterization of volcanic systems.

Summary The source characteristics of offshore seismic events, especially regular (or fast) and slow earthquakes, can provide key information on their source physics and frictional conditions at the plate boundary. Due to strong three-dimensional heterogeneities in offshore regions, such as those relating to seawater, accretionary prism, and small-scale velocity heterogeneity, conventional methods using a one-dimensional Earth model may misestimate source parameters such as the duration and radiation energy. Estimations could become severe inaccuracies for small offshore seismic events because high-frequency (> 1 Hz) seismograms, which are strongly affected by three-dimensional heterogeneities, are only available for analysis because of their signal-to-noise ratio. To investigate the effects of offshore heterogeneities on source parameter estimation for small seismic events, we analysed both observed and simulated high-frequency seismograms southeast off the Kii Peninsula, Japan, in the Nankai subduction zone. Numerical simulations of seismic wave propagation using a three-dimensional velocity structure model clarified the effects of each heterogeneity. Comparisons between observations and model simulations demonstrated that the thick low-velocity accretionary prism has significant effects on high-frequency seismic wave propagation. Especially for shallow low-frequency tremors occurring at depths just below the accretionary prism toe, seismogram durations are significantly broader than an assumed source duration, even for stations with epicentral distances of approximately 10 km. Spindle-shape seismogram envelopes were observed even at such close stations. Our results suggest that incorporating three-dimensional heterogeneities is necessary for practical estimation of source parameters for small offshore events.

We present one of the first studies on source location determination for volcanic earthquakes and characterization of volcanic subsurfaces using data from a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system. Using the arrival time difference estimated from well-correlated waveforms and a dense spatial distribution of seismic amplitudes recorded along the fiber-optic cable, we determine the hypocenters of volcanic earthquakes recorded at Azuma volcano, Japan. The sources are located at a shallow depth beneath active volcanic areas with a range of approximately 1 km. Spatial distribution of the site amplification factors determined from coda waves of regional tectonic earthquakes are well correlated with old lava flow distributions and volcano topography. Since DAS observation can be performed remotely and buried fiber-optic cables are not damaged by volcanic ash or bombs during eruptions, this new observation system is suitable for monitoring of volcanoes without risk of system damage and for evaluating volcanic structures.

[1] In short-period seismograms of earthquakes, we often observe the broadening of apparent duration of P and/or S waves and the excitation of the transverse component especially for P waves as travel distance increases. Such phenomena are well explained by scattering caused by random velocity fluctuation in the lithosphere. The Markov approximation is known as one of the powerful stochastic methods for the direct synthesis of wave envelopes. We extend the method to synthesize vector wave envelopes on the free surface of a random medium since seismic observation is usually done on the ground surface. We evaluate the mean square (MS) envelope on the free surface by multiplying the amplification factor on the free surface to the angular spectrum in an infinite random medium. We synthesize MS envelopes for the vertical incidence of an impulsive plane P or S wavelet into a 3-D random medium characterized by a Gaussian autocorrelation function with typical parameters of the lithosphere. As a result, the vertical and horizontal component MS envelopes show different amplification rates on the free surface; however, we may say that "a factor of 4" is a good approximation for the amplification rate for both components. Finally, we numerically confirm the validity of our direct envelope syntheses by the comparison with finite difference simulations of waves in 2-D random media. The Markov approximation is accurate when the wavelength is shorter than the correlation distance and the fractional fluctuation is much smaller than the ratio of the correlation distance to the propagation distance.Citation: Emoto, K., H. Sato, and T. Nishimura (2010), Synthesis of vector wave envelopes on the free surface of a random medium for the vertical incidence of a plane wavelet based on the Markov approximation,

Stress accumulation and release inside the plate remains poorly understood compared to that at the plate boundaries. Spatiotemporal variations in foreshock and aftershock activities can provide key constraints on time‐dependent stress and deformation processes inside the plate. The 2017 M5.2 Akita‐Daisen intraplate earthquake in NE Japan was preceded by intense foreshock activity and triggered a strong sequence of aftershocks. We examine the spatiotemporal distributions of foreshocks and aftershocks and determine the coseismic slip distribution of the mainshock. Our results indicate that seismicity both before and after the mainshock was concentrated on a planar structure with N‐S strike that dips steeply eastward. We observe a migration of foreshocks toward the mainshock rupture area, suggesting the possibility that foreshocks were triggered by aseismic phenomena preceding the mainshock rupture. The mainshock rupture propagated toward the north, showing less slip beneath foreshock regions. The stress drop of the mainshock was 1.4 MPa, and the radiation efficiency was 0.72. Aftershocks were intensely triggered near the edge of large coseismic slip regions where shear stress increased. The aftershock region expanded along the fault strike, which can be attributed to the postseismic aseismic slip of the mainshock. We find that the foreshocks, mainshock, aftershocks, and postseismic slip released stress at different segments along the fault, which may reflect differences in frictional properties. Obtained results were similar to those observed for interplate earthquakes, which supports the hypothesis that the deformation processes along plate boundaries and intraplate faults are fundamentally the same.