[O-06_30PO1] Geoparks in Japan

[O06-P11] Device and the present conditions of Mine-Akiyoshidai Geopark Plan

*Hokuto OBARA¹, Masayuki FUJIKAWA¹, Tomoko YAMAGATA¹ (1.Mine-city Geopark Promotion Council)

Keywords:Mine-Akiyoshidai Geopark Plan, Akiyoshidai, karst plateau, Mine area, Yamaguchi Prefecture

The geopark activities in Mine area located in the middle western part of Yamaguchi Prefecture have been promoted from 2011. The geopark name and the theme are decided as follows; "Mine-Akiyoshidai Geopark Plan" and "The history of the earth and the life to breathe on the karst plateau". The contents of Geopark Plan and its present status will be presented.The name and theme spotlight Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau in Mine area. The limestone which forms the karst plateau originated from coral reef of oceanic island. It has various information of natural history, so that contains academic value very much. Scientific and cultural values concerning the geology, geography, biology, ecology and human culture in Akiyoshidai are very high. Therefore, Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau is very precious worldwide.In Mine area, as well as Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau, there are Omine Coalfield which is mined high quality anthracite (hard coal) and Naganobori Copper mine which is the oldest public copper mine in Japan. We aim to keep those geo-resources, use them for an instructional activity positively, and apply them in local promotion.