The author attempts to explain the high gravity anomalies which are found near the points of seismic upheavals along the boundary of Philippine Sea Plate in Southwestern Japan in terms of plate tectonics. The continental lithosphere is collided, contracted and pulled down by the oceanic lithosphere and after elastic rebound which is nothing but the occurence of an earthquake, some amount of strain may be remained. This means increase of density. Thus, after so many recurrence of earthquakes, high gravity anomalies are formed, and this can be estimated asΔg=2πkΔph, where k is universal constant of gravitation, Δp change of density of slab and h thickness of slab (Fig. 3). Yearly rate of Δp, Δp/Δt, is estimated as 3.25X0.6X10
-7/year based on the horizontal deformation of the crust found by geodetic works. Putting h=100 km, yearly change of gravity isΔg/Δt =0.817 μgal/year. It has elapsed about 12.5x10
4 years after the beginning of convergence of oceanic lithosphere. Therefore, present anomalies areΔg =102.1 mgal. The average of Bouguer anomalies near the five points of seismic upheavals is 90 mgal (see Fig. 1 and Table 1). This coincidence shows that the mechanism of formation of high gravity anomalies can be explained in terms of convergent plate. Finally, the author points out that the detection of gravity change associated by the convergence of plate can be possible by means of modern gravity meter with special observation techniques or available apparatus for absolute measurement of high precision.
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