Abstract
　The feature of the Yamasaki fault, which is running NWW-SEE strike with 80 km length in the Hyogo prefecture, northern Kinki district, Southwest Japan, is described as a crushed zone on the basis of spatial distribution of microearthquakes, and surveys of underground water and electric resistivity of the Earth.
　The location of the crushed zone is spreading widely in the northern side along the Yamasaki fault and its width measures about 5-l0 km.
　In this crushed zone, a signal or information flom the Earth's interior is amplified. This phenomenon was shown by an example of distribution of seismic intensity. Therefore, in the crushed zone, we can probably, catch the precursor of occurrence of a large earthquake which may be in this region.

*京都大学防災研究所
Disaster Prevention Research Institute Kyoto University