Seasonal Crustal Seismic Velocity Changes Throughout Japan

Noise‐based crustal seismic velocity changes are known to be affected by environmental perturbations, such as rainfall, atmospheric pressure loading, and temperature changes. Similar to geodetic observations, these external perturbations can mask the effects of tectonic and volcanic processes. In this study, we benefit from the dense Hi‐net short‐period seismic network that covers the entire Japan to measure continuous changes in seismic velocities over a few years, using noise‐based seismic monitoring. Some strong seasonal seismic velocity changes are observed in both southern Japan (Kyushu Island) and northern Japan (Hokkaido Island). Decreasing of seismic velocities in summer in southern Japan can be clearly explained by a model of increased crustal fluid pore pressure associated with high rainfall. In northern Japan, it is necessary to adopt a more complex model to explain the observed seismic velocity variations, which takes into account precipitation, snow depth, and sea level changes. Moreover, western and eastern Hokkaido Island show very different responses to these different external perturbations. The models developed are used to remove the seasonal components of the seismic velocity changes. The minimum remaining detectable seismic velocity change reduces to 10−5, which allows detection of crustal responses to small earthquakes that are previously hidden in the strong seasonal perturbations. Key Points Noise‐based seismic velocity time lapse changes show large seasonal effects in some regions of Japan Seasonal seismic velocity changes are strongly affected by some specific external perturbations such as rainfall A model for correcting seasonal effects improves observations of earthquake responses