convener:Masataka Kinoshita(Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo), Yoshio Kono(Geodynamics Research Center, Ehime University), Eiichiro Araki(Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology), Hiroko Kitajima(Texas A&M University College Station)

Knowledge on subduction zone earthquake phenomena has considerably increased in the last decade. On the other hand, there are limits to seismological approach alone to comprehensively elucidate the earthquake mechanism in which phenomena that differ by 10 orders of magnitude in space and time, from earthquake nucleation/growth processes to its driving force. Steps to enable scientific earthquake forecasting should include; monitoring regional seismic/tectonic activity using networked observatories, sampling of and insitu measurement in seismogenic faults and plate materials through ultra-deep drilling, and reproduction/insitu-observation of fracture nucleation processes by high-pressure quantum-beam experiments. Through a close collaboration, we challenge a dynamic imaging of earthquake processes. Based on the proposal submitted as a Large Research Master Plan 2020 of the Science Council of Japan, we will deepen the interdisciplinary discussion on subduction-zone earthquakes and the state & property of lithosphere. We welcome, but not limited to, presentations from fields of ocean and land networks observation, seismogenic zone drilling, rock mechanical & quantum beam experiments, fracture process theory, etc.