Episodic transient deformation revealed by the analysis of multiple GNSS networks in the Noto Peninsula, central Japan

Abstract

Since November 30, 2020, an intense seismic swarm and transient deformation have been continuously observed in the Noto Peninsula, central Japan, which is a non-volcanic/geothermal area far from major plate boundaries. We modeled transient deformation based on a combined analysis of multiple Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observation networks, including one operated by a private sector company (SoftBank Corp.), relocated earthquake hypocenters, and tectonic settings. Our analysis showed a total displacement pattern over 2 years shows horizontal inflation and uplift of up to ~ 70 mm around the source of the earthquake swarm. In the first 3 months, the opening of the shallow-dipping tensile crack had an estimated volumetric increase of ~ 1.4 × 10⁷ m³ at a depth of ~ 16 km. Over the next 15 months, the observed deformation was well reproduced by shear-tensile sources, which represent an aseismic reverse-type slip and the opening of a southeast-dipping fault zone at a depth of 14–16 km. We suggest that the upwelling fluid spread at a depth of ~ 16 km through an existing shallow-dipping permeable fault zone and then diffused into the fault zone, triggering a long-lasting sub-meter aseismic slip below the seismogenic depth. The aseismic slip further triggered intense earthquake swarms at the updip.