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Title: Geochemical indicator of tectonic stress resulting in an earthquake in central Japan, 1984

Journal Article · · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

Conspicuous changes in gas composition were observed at a fumarole and a mineral spring just before the occurrence of an inland earthquake (magnitude, 6.8) in central Japan in September 1984; the fumarole and spring were 9 and 50 kilometers, respectively, from the earthquake's epicenter. Deep-seated fluids emitted as a result of the compressional stress of the earth tide had been observed previously at this mineral spring and at a lava lake in Hawaii. By analogy, the gas anomaly observed before the earthquake in Japan probably resulted from deep-seated fluids being squeezed to the surface by the tectonic stress that caused the earthquake.

Research Organization:
Nagoya Univ., Japan
OSTI ID:
6430031
Journal Information:
Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Vol. 229
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English