Compilation of Isoseismal Maps of the 1923 Kanto, Japan Earthquake

Abstract

The 1923 Kanto earthquake caused enormous damage to the Tokyo metropolitan area. In order to understand the intensity of ground motion during the Kanto earthquake, isoseismal maps of the earthquake are collected. Then, they are classified into the following categories: 1) preliminary one, 2) one based on field surveys, 3) one based on damage to wooden houses, and 4) one based on the seismic intensity reported by the Central Meteorological Observatory. The characteristics and differences of the maps excluding the preliminary ones are summarized. Then, the relationship between seismic intensity and collapse rate of wooden houses was reviewed and the area of seismic intensity VI was reexamined.