Drainage characteristics of the Noto Peninsula, Japan, and their implications for seismic hazards

RAO Gang; WU Yan; ZHONG Yaqi; YIN Xiaohan

doi:10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025129

Volume 31 Issue 5

Oct. 2025

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RAO G，WU Y，ZHONG Y Q，et al.，2025. Drainage characteristics of the Noto Peninsula, Japan, and their implications for seismic hazards[J]. Journal of Geomechanics，31（5）：1030−1043 doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025129

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Drainage characteristics of the Noto Peninsula, Japan, and their implications for seismic hazards

doi: 10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2025129

School of Geoscience and Technology, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, Sichuan, China

Funds: This research is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42272271).

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Author Bio:
饶刚，西南石油大学地球科学与技术学院研究员、博士生导师。入选四川省“天府峨眉计划”创新领军人才、四川省学术和技术带头人后备人选；担任“蓉漂计划”创新团队负责人。主要从事活动构造与地震灾害、构造地貌学、含油气区构造变形分析与模拟相关科研工作，重点关注褶皱−冲断带的构造几何学和运动学演化过程、活动构造三维生长及其地貌响应机理等。主持国家自然科学基金等纵向研究课题10余项。在Nature Communications等期刊发表SCI学术论文50余篇
Received: 2025-09-10
Revised: 2025-09-28
Accepted: 2025-10-11

Available Online: 2025-10-20

Published: 2025-10-30

Abstract

Abstract

Objective On January 1, 2024, a M_w 7.5 earthquake occurred on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, resulting in more than 200 fatalities. The seismic event triggered significant crustal deformation, tsunamis, and landslides, leading to widespread damage across the region. Historically, this area has been prone to destructive earthquakes and associated geological hazards, such as landslides. Therefore, accurately evaluating the tectonic activity of major fault zones in the region is both critically important and urgently needed. Methods This study aims to employ quantitative morphotectonic analysis of drainage landscape to investigate the characteristics of active tectonic deformation and its implications for potential seismic hazards. Based on ASTER GDEM data with a spatial resolution of 30 meters, the drainage network within the study area was delineated. Geomorphic indices, including slope, relief, hypsometrical integral (HI), and normalized channel steepness index (k_sn), were calculated for each (sub)watershed basin. Additionally, the stability of drainage divides was assessed. Using this information, and integrating post-earthquake aerial imagery and landslide interpretation data, the influence of earthquake-induced landslides on drainage divides was analyzed. Results Comparative analysis of topographic slope, relief, HI, and k_sn values revealed that the northern coastal region of the peninsula has undergone significant tectonic deformation, exhibiting distinct segmentation characteristics. As well, active tectonic zones were identified in the central and southern parts of the peninsula, with spatial distributions closely aligned with known surface fault zones. Earthquake-induced landslides were predominantly concentrated in areas of high uplift, along drainage divides, and on steep slopes adjacent to river channels, characterized by steep topography and elevated k_sn values. Some landslides even crossed the divides, thereby altering the overall morphology of the drainage basins. Conclusion As revealed by our geomorphological analysis, the northern regions exhibiting high tectonic activity are consistent with areas that experienced significant surface uplift during the 2024 Noto earthquake. Moreover, the central and southern regions, which are characterized by ongoing active deformation, also require careful assessment of their seismic hazards. Significance The findings of this study provide a crucial scientific basis for evaluating future seismic risk in the Noto Peninsula.
- Noto Peninsula,
- geomorphic indices,
- seismic hazards,
- co-seismic landslides,
- drainage divide

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