We maintained seismic stations from 17 to 22 March. Seismic stations are distributed in Kumamoto and Miyazaki Prefectures.
We changed batteries and data cards for maintenance. We also replaced some seismometers and data loggers of stations that had troubles.
We visited about 130 seismic stations in four groups of 13 members.
Soft soil places are inappropriate for seismic observation due to the significant amplification and the bad coupling between the sensor and the ground. Erosion-control dams with hard basements are good candidates for seismic observation as shown in the above photo.
Most of the seismometers are located in the mountain area far from town to reduce the effect of human activity. Even though it was the middle of March, some seismometers were covered by snow in the high mountain areas. Local people helped us put snow chain when we stuck in the snow.
We completed the maintenance of all of the stations although there were some troubles with the car and the wrong information about the seismic stations.
