Study plan for research on long-term stability of geological environment in FY2006

Nakatsuka, Noboru; Nohara, Tsuyoshi   ; Umeda, Koji; Sasao, Eiji   ; Saito, Tatsuo  ; Yasue, Kenichi

The Japanese islands are located in the tectonically active Circum-Pacific Mobile Belt. As a result, Japan has a high frequency of earthquakes and eruptions. Special consideration is given to the long-term stability of the geological environment, taking into account volcanism, faulting, uplift, denudation, climatic change and sea-level change in Japan. Development of research/prediction technologies for geotectonic events has been carried out to evaluate the long-term stability of the geological environment in Japan. During fiscal year 2006, to confirm existence of the phenomena that have a influence on geological disposal system (e.g. active fault or magma) and to confirm that there was not the trace that the phenomena occurred in the past and to predict/evaluate possibility of the phenomena, development of the research/prediction techniques will be carried out. Concerning active fault and seismic activity, information maintenance for research of an activity history and distribution of an active fault (movement, extension, development process of a deformation zone) will be carried out. For volcanological and geothermal studies, we are planning to examine a technique for detecting crustal magma and/or geothermal fluid in deep underground using geophysical and geochemical data, and models assessing the likelihood of future volcanism and its influence on geological environment. Concerning uplift, denudation, climatic change and sea-level change, making of concept model for landform development will be carried out.