Long-term thermal activity revealed by magnetic measurements at Kusatsu-Shirane volcano, Japan

•We evaluated the thermal activities of Kusatsu-Shirane volcano for 34 years.•The thermo-magnetic event related to the 1982–1983 eruptive activity was modeled.•The demagnetized source during the 1989–1991 seismically active period was modeled.•Magnetization due to cooling has migrated to shallower depths since 1996.

Repeated geomagnetic measurements commenced around the three summit crater lakes of Kusatsu-Shirane volcano (Yugama, Mizugama and Karegama lakes) in 1976 and continuous measurements commenced in 1990. We reviewed and analyzed these geomagnetic data acquired over the 34 years starting in 1978. Changes in the geomagnetic field related to eruptions during 1982–1983 were recorded in the repeated geomagnetic measurements from 1982 to 1985. A thermal-demagnetization source was estimated to be 400 m below Mizugama crater lake during this period. Although there were no eruptions from 1988 to 1991, there were numerous volcanic earthquakes. Thermomagnetic signals due to demagnetization of the material beneath the crater lakes were recorded by the repeated magnetic measurements during this period. The demagnetized body was estimated to be 600 m below Mizugama crater lake at this time. Previous seismological and geochemical studies attributed these demagnetization events to the ascent of hydrothermal water and volcanic gas. The difference between the depths of demagnetized bodies during these two periods of demagnetization may provide important information about the mechanism of the 1982–1983 eruptions. In contrast, magnetization associated with cooling of rocks beneath the crater lakes was recorded from 1996 to 2012. According to our thermomagnetic modeling of this period, the source of the magnetization was 400 to 700 m below an area immediately northeast of Yugama crater lake and the cooling migrated gradually to shallower depths during this period. Based on our modeling, seismological data, and geochemical monitoring of Yugama lake water, we consider that the flux of hydrothermal fluid from depth decreased after 1992 and rock magnetization due to cooling began in 1996.