Recently, numerous earthquakes have caused significant casualties and property damage worldwide, including major events in 2023 (Türkiye, M7.8; Morocco, M6.8) and 2024 (Noto Peninsula, Japan, M7.6; Taiwan, M7.4). In South Korea, the frequency of detectable and noticeable earthquakes has been gradually increasing since the M5.8 Gyeongju Earthquake. Notable recent events include those in Jeju (M4.9), Goesan (M4.1), the East Sea (M4.5), and Gyeongju (M4.0) since 2020. This study, for the first time in South Korea, monitored groundwater levels and temperatures at a 1Hz frequency to observe the responses in groundwater to moderate and small earthquakes primarily occurring within the country. Between April 23, 2023, and May 22, 2023, 17 earthquakes were reported in the East Sea region with magnitudes ranging from M2.0 to M4.5. Analysis of groundwater level responses at the Gangneung observation station revealed fluctuations associated with five of these events. The 1Hz observation data clearly showed groundwater level changes even for small earthquakes, indicating that groundwater is highly sensitive to the frequent small earthquakes recently occurring in South Korea. The analysis confirmed that the maximum amplitude of groundwater level changes due to earthquakes is proportional to the earthquake’s magnitude and the distance from the epicenter. These findings highlight the importance of precise 1Hz-level observations in earthquake-groundwater research. This study provides foundational data for earthquake monitoring and prediction and emphasizes the need for ongoing research into monitoring the changes in groundwater parameters (such as aquifer characteristics, quantity/quality, and contaminant migration) induced by various magnitudes of earthquakes that may occur within the country in the future.

Keywords: Groundwater level, 1Hz observation, Moderate and Small earthquakes, Earthquake magnitude, Epicentral distance