A sudden collapse of the summit of Miyake-jima occurred on July 8, 2000, together with intermittent eruptions. This collapse generated long-period seismic waves with a dominant period of about 10s. Following this event, very long-period seismic pulses (VLP pulses) with a duration of about 50s were observed a few times a day until they ceased at the largest summit eruption on August 18. We analyzed these seismic pulses using waveform data recorded at several domestic stations for broadband seismographs and strong motion seismometers on Miyake-jima. The July 8 event is well characterized by a single-force directed initially upward and later downward during 12 sec. The single-force is interpreted as an abrupt collapse of massive rock. The total mass is estimated to be about 5 × 1010 kg with fall of about 300 m. On the other hand, VLP pulses are modeled by moment-tensors with an isotropic component. They are located about 1 km southwest from the summit and 2 to 3 km deep. All three principal values are positive. The largest one is horizontal and the smallest one is near vertical. The total volume change due to 39 VLP pulses is 2.6× 108m3, amounting to nearly one half of the total volume of the summit collapse. Based on theresults, we propose a buried geyser model. A large reservoir of hot water was formed just after the summit collapse on July 8. The ground water poured into the reservoir, being rapidly heated by hot rock underneath, and evaporated to form a highly pressurized steam, which pushed a lower conduit piston into the magma reservoir to generate VLP pulses. Non-isotropic expansion of the VLP pulses may be ascribed to the shape of the magma reservoir.
