[O-06_30AM2] Geoparks in Japan

[O06-06] volcano gifts from the south Izu Peninsula Geopark

*Kaoru YOSHIKAWA¹, Yoshiaki HORINO¹, Chiharu ISHII¹, Hiromi TUKUDA¹, Masato KOYAMA² (1.Izu Peninsula Geopark Promotion Council, 2.Shizuoka University)

Keywords:geopark, Izu Peninsula

The Izu Peninsula was situated to the south of the Japanese archipelago long time back. Due to the movement of the Philippine sea plate, it moved gradually to the North and collided with Honshu. In the Izu Peninsula, which was formed out of this mutual collision a great range of natural diversity can be seen, which makes it unique as a peninsula on the global scale. It is possible to observe the geological mechanisms that formed the peninsula in different locations. The peninsula is ideal to observe the geological processes ranging from submarine volcanism, land volcanism due to the collision of landmasses and ongoing volcanic activities. As a geopark, Izu Peninsula is attempting to collaborate with other geoparks and raise awareness on natural disasters as results of tectonic level processes, while preserving local nature, culture and history. In March 2011, 13 cities and towns came together to form the core of the geopark. In September 2012 the geopark was accredited by the Japanese Geoparks Network. In December 2013 two more towns joined the geopark area. The geopark employed a new researcher on human geography in 2013 and published its newsletter. Apart from these the geopark is working to assess the volcanic gas conditions in Teishi Kaikyu area with the Natural Disaster prevention unit of the Shizuoka University, giving guide programs, popularizing earth science for children, and participating in childrens summer school camps. In the Asia Pacific Geoparks Networks Conference (APGN 2013) the geopark put up its poster and introduced its activities.