ULF geomagnetic field measurements in Japan and some recent results associated with Iwateken Nairiku Hokubu earthquake in 1998

• Published in: Physics and chemistry of the earth. Parts A/B/C 2004, Vol.29 (4), p.481-494
• Main Authors: Hattori, K., Takahashi, I., Yoshino, C., Isezaki, N., Iwasaki, H., Harada, M., Kawabata, K., Kopytenko, E., Kopytenko, Y., Maltsev, P., Korepanov, V., Molchanov, O., Hayakawa, M., Noda, Y., Nagao, T., Uyeda, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Iwateken Nairiku Hokubu earthquake; Network observation; Polarization; ULF magnetometers
• ISSN: 1474-7065; 1873-5193
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pce.2003.09.019

Previous studies on Spitak, Loma Prieta, and Guam earthquakes indicate that large earthquakes were accompanied by preceding magnetic anomalies. In order to confirm these facts and to investigate ULF phenomena in details, a network of ULF magnetometers has been installed in Japan. Network observations including small arrays have been carried out. Also, the geomagnetic data observed at Matsukawa station associated with Iwateken Nairiku Hokubu earthquake (M6.1, September 3, 1998, depth 10 km) are presented. 4.5 years data have been analyzed and the obtained result is discussed. The variation of spectral density ratio between the horizontal and vertical components (polarization) exhibits an anomalous behavior two weeks before the earthquake. This is a unique change discovered from the rather long-term analysis, which suggests that this anomalous change might be a possible signal associated with the earthquake preparation phase.