Study plan for research on long-term stability of geological environment in FY2007

Nakatsuka, Noboru; Nohara, Tsuyoshi   ; Umeda, Koji; Sasao, Eiji   ; 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. 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 2007, development of the research/prediction techniques about the following items will be carried out. Concerning active fault and seismic activity, case study for research of an activity history and distribution of an active fault (movement, extension, a development process of a deformation zone) will be carried out. For volcanological and geothermal studies, we are planning to provide an integrated approach 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, development of techniques that researches paleo-topography and paleo-environment and that simulates of landforms will be carried out. In addition, maintenance of development of analytical methods to perform the data acquisition that is necessary for these studies will be carried out.