*Hideo TAKAGI1
(1.Waseda University (JGS Director of Outreach and Geopark Affairs))
Keywords:Geological Society of Japan, 2011 Tohoku earthquake disaster, tsunami, liquefaction, decontamination of radioactive materials, recovery of museum specimens
I introduce the activities of the Geological Society of Japan (JGS) in support of the reconstruction after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake disaster on behalf of the Social Contribution Committee of the JGS. The JGS asked its members to submit proposals in support of the disaster recovery, and six of nine research programs in 2011 and one of two in 2012 were adopted and supported by funds of the Society. The seven projects can be categorized into three research categories: 1. recovery of specimens from museums destroyed by the tsunami, 2. development of methods of decontamination to help deal with the radioactive material spread by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, and 3. surveys to recognize and quantify liquefaction caused by the Tohoku earthquake. The results of these studies were reported in poster presentations given at the JGS annual meetings and in newsletter articles published in 2012 and 2013. This report also introduces briefly the geopark activity that has been promoted by the JGS and its importance for local education in earth science including disaster prevention and mitigation in the eastern Tohoku coastal area (Sanriku area).