Severe damage along the Kiyomasa-kodo (Seishokodo) during 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, Southwest Japan

Abstract

Strong ground motions attacked the area along the Kiyomasa-kodo (Seishoko-do) during 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. The remarkable surface ruptures with right lateral component aligned in ENE-WSW direction. We emplaced a trench across the open cracks arranged en echelon at Shinkoya. Although the cracks are located close to the southern edge of artificial fill, we cannot conclude that the cracks are caused by lateral flow of the fill. Because there are many narrow openings below the surface cracks, and the surface ruptures indication right lateral movement are arranged in a line.