Journal of Natural Disaster Science

ACTIVE FAULTS IN AND AROUND JAPAN : THE DISTRIBUTION AND THE DEGREE OF ACTIVITY

The Research Group for Active Faults of Japan*
c/o Department of Geography, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo

(Received 26 December, 1980, and in revised form 23 January, 1981)

Abstract

This is a summarized report of the research on the active Quaternary faults in Japan conducted cooperatively from 1976 through 1979 by researchers in geomorphology, geology and geophysics. The methods of recognizing active faults are described with some examples of active faults. Active faults on land and beneath the sea were primarily studied by the interpretation of aerial photographs and of records of seismic profilers, respectively. Major faults on land were studied in the field by the members of the group.

The results are presented in the form of maps of active faults and tables of detailed inventories for the mapped faults on land. Sheet maps of the faults were originally drawn on a scale of 1:200,000 and a compiled map was made on a scale of 1:2,000,000. The outline of Japanese active faults and the relation between the active faults and earthquakes are discussed.

Key words

active fault, Quaternary fault, earthquake, techtonic stress field, techtonic landform, aerial photo-interpretation

* The English version was prepared by N. Yonekura and reviewed by S. Kaizuka, T. Matsuda, Y. Ota and Y. Ikeda.