JAEA_TGC_e_lts

Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory

The Japanese Islands are located in the Circum-Pacific mobile belt marked by active crustal movement including seismicity and volcanism. The characteristics and effects of crustal movement and volcanism are being studied through various case studies in order to establish methodologies to predict changes in geological environments in the future.


Research on geomorphic evolution due to sea-level changes is carried out based on the distributions and characteristics of marine terraces and geological formations.	A three dimensional map showing the regional distribution of marine terraces (shown in red) in the southeastern part of Shikoku Island

Development of computer simulation models of geomorphic evolution using digital maps is carried out based on the research into uplift and denudation rates, geological structures and geomorphic features.

Characteristics of various volcanic regions are studied to predict future volcanism and to understand its influence on the geological environment.
Also, reliable methods are currently being developed to understand the geothermal characteristics of non-volcanic regions.


Paleohydrogeology and natural analogue phenomena are studied on uranium deposits in the Tono area as a case study. Furthermore, the establishment of databases concerning the geological environment of the Japanese Islands is in progress as well as the development of simulation models.	Analysis using the Geographic Information System (GIS)

  Through characterizing active faults and the monitoring and study of earthquakes, scientific knowledge is accumluated on the effects of seismicity and faulting on geological environments.
   In addition, methods are being established to interpret the relationship between topographical / tectonic features and faults that cause major earthquakes.
  Under the cooperation of scientists at universities or other research facilities participating to the Earthquake Frontier Research Project, a new underground exploration system, named ACROSS (Accurately Controlled Routinely Operated Signal System) , is been developed which will reveal the mechanism of major earthquakes. Various studies are also conducted on earthquakes and faults in the Tono area.