Field-based description of near-surface crustal deformation in a high-strain shear zone; A Case study in southern Kyushu, Japan

Niwa, Masakazu   ; Shimada, Koji   ; Terusawa, Shuji*; Goto, Akira*; Nishiyama, Nariaki  ; Nakajima, Toru   ; Ishihara, Takanori; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki

To investigate the geological evidence of near-surface crustal deformations in a high-strain shear zone that has been geodetically identified but not associated with clear tectonic landforms, a fieldwork was conducted in E-W trending southern Kyushu high-strain shear zone, Japan. According to our study, an investigation based on the slip data from minor faults and the occurrences of fracture zones could help to identify a concealed fault that is small in terms of size to record tectonic landforms but can trigger large earthquakes.