We used a gPhone (serial number 90), the newest spring-type gravimeter manufactured by Micro-g LaCoste Inc., to acquire high-quality, continuous gravity records, both below-and aboveground. At a depth of 100 m, when the gPhone was situated under an uncon ned aquifer, the standard deviations of the residual gravity based on rst-and second-order curve ttings are 4.2 and 2.7 μGal, respectively. Some gravity decreases caused by rainfall were clearly observed, and unknown gravity variations may also have occurred. Alternatively, when the gPhone was placed aboveground on the ank of a high mountain, the standard deviation of the residual gravity was 1.7 μGal for both the rst-and second-order curve ttings. The rainfall amount and snow depth can explain most of the residual gravity. On the basis of these results, we propose to detect and correct hydrological gravity responses using multiple gravimeters to study gravity signals from deep within the earth.

Preparatory activity preceding the 2014 eruption of Mount Ontake volcano was estimated from vertical deformation detected using a precise leveling survey. Notable uplift (2006-2009) and subsidence (2009-2014) were detected on the eastern flank of the volcano. We estimated pressure source models based on the vertical deformation and used these to infer preparatory process preceding the 2014 eruption. Our results suggest that the subsidence experienced between 2009 and 2014 (including the period of the 2014 eruption) occurred as a result of a sill-like tensile crack with a depth of 2.5 km. This tensile crack might inflate prior to the eruption and deflate during the 2014 activity. A two-tensile-crack model was used to explain uplift from 2006 to 2009. The geometry of the shallow crack was assumed to be the same as the sill-like tensile crack. The deep crack was estimated to be 2 km in length, 4.5 km in width, and 3 km in depth. Distinct uplifts began on the volcano flanks in 2006 and were followed by seismic activities and a small phreatic eruption in 2007.

Repeated precise leveling in the earthquake swarm area of Ontake, central Japan has revealed uplift of 3-6 mm in proximity to the epicentral region of the most active earthquake cluster in 2002-2004. Although the uplift is small, the vertical displacement is significant even considering leveling error. This uplift is associated with increases in 3 He/ 4 He ratios and CO 2 δ 13 C values at a mineral spring in the region, indicating an upper mantle contribution. A region of low resistivity at a depth of 2 km beneath the uplift area has also been inferred, suggesting that the observed uplift is related to changes in a shallow seismogenic layer due to increased hydrothermal input from the earthquake swarm area.

No abstract

Eruptive and caldera-forming activity at Miyakejima volcano island, Japan, commenced on 26 June 2000 was accompanied by more than 40 day of seismic swarms and significant crustal deformation in the nearby islands and sea region besides those at Miyakejima itself. The migration of the hypocenters in the early stage suggests that they were triggered by magma intrusion from Miyakejima. However, it remains uncertain whether the long-lasting seismic swarms and ground displacements in the northern Izu-islands were totally maintained by the magma flow from Miyakejima, because another magma source nearby Kozushima was suggested previously, which is 40 km north-west of Miyakejima, based upon anomalous ground displacements. Here we report the detection of associated changes with the 2000 activity in both absolute gravity and elevation at Kozushima as well as those at Miyakejima. Combining these data with horizontal GPS displacements, we extend the analysis of Nishimura et al. (2001) and construct an optimum source model, so that we can account for the observed changes in geodetic data and determine the mass budget of the magma flow. The total mass of the newly intruded dike offshore of Miyakejima and nearby Kozushima turned out to be 130% or greater than the lost mass at Miyakejima. As long as there are no other source elements, another magma reservoir near Kozushima is required and is suggested to have been activated, causing the seismic swarms and crustal deformation. We may speculate as a phenomenology that the rapid lateral magma flow from Miyakejima in the very beginning of the unrest awakened a dormant reservoir offshore of Miyakejima and Kozushima.