Novel geodynamic theory to elucidate tectonics of the Japanese islands
- the east-west contraction of Northeast Japan is caused by the movement of the Philippine Sea Plate -

Summary of AIST Press Release on June 29, 2017
>>Japanese

　Masaki Takahashi, Principal Research Manager, has proposed a new theory that the present east-west contraction of Northeast Japan is caused by the northwestward movement of the Philippine Sea Plate, not by the Pacific Plate as has been conventionally accepted, based on experiments using analogue models. The theory considering 3D plate kinematics around the Japanese islands can well explain the mechanism of frequent inland earthquakes that occur at a relatively shallow depth beneath the main island. The study makes it possible to estimate crustal deformation of the Japanese islands in the future.

 

Geodynamic framework of the Japanese islands demonstrated by the analogue model

 

Publication details

Takahashi, M., The cause of the east–west contraction of Northeast Japan. Bulletin of the Geological Survey of Japan, in press. [Available on-line June 29, 2017]
https://www.gsj.jp/data/bulletin/inpress/20170629_1.pdf