6:15 PM - 7:30 PM
[O01-P14] Application example of geosites for school education in the region of Kunibiki Geopark Plan
Keywords:Kunibiki myth, Izumo-no-kuni Fudoki, Shimane Peninsula, Hii River, function of running water, structure and change of land
The area of Kunibiki Geopark Plan is the “ground of Kunibiki myth”, surrounded by the Shimane Peninsula, Mt. Daisen, and Mt. Sanbe. The Kunibiki myth is described in Izumo-no-kuni Fudoki, completed in 733 AD. The story of the Kunibiki myth is that the god pulled the countries of the Korean Peninsula and then formed the Shimane Peninsula by using them. The area of Kunibiki Geopark Plan has traced the history of i) part of the continent, ii) detached from the continent, iii) the creation of the Sea of Japan, iv) volcanism in the Japan Islands, and v) the creation of alluvial plain and brackish lakes. These geological histories are in common with the Kunibiki myth. So, we promote Kunibiki Geopark Plan as merging mythology and geology.
In the area of Kunibiki Geopark Plan, there is the Hii River that familiar with “the Legend of Yamata-no-Orochi” and the “tatara iron-making”. In addition, we can observe turbidite bed comprised of alternation of sand and mud, formed 15-14 Ma. These sites are readily-accessible, and therefore the sites are applicable for the unit of “the function of running water” in fifth grade and the unit of “the structure and change of land” in sixth grade, respectively. On the other hand, teachers find it difficult to use those filed educational materials because of the lack of special knowledge and the difficulty of the use of regional materials. So, Kunibiki Geopark Project Center of Shimane University performed field studies utilizing these geosites for the regional elementary schools in cooperation with the regional education committee.
The sand mining so called “Kanna-nagashi” continued to be used for the tatara iron-making around the Hii riverine system since early times. The evidence can be observed as its remains and the slag in riverine sediment. The fact that a magnet sticks to granite gives a realization that magnetite used for the tatara iron-making is contained in rocks. In addition, the recurrent flooding of the Hii River creates “the Legend of Yamata-no-Orochi”. In sum, this place is valuable as the site where we can learn the perspective of Geopark that the structure and change of land directly connects to life of people and culture.
In the area of Kunibiki Geopark Plan, there is the Hii River that familiar with “the Legend of Yamata-no-Orochi” and the “tatara iron-making”. In addition, we can observe turbidite bed comprised of alternation of sand and mud, formed 15-14 Ma. These sites are readily-accessible, and therefore the sites are applicable for the unit of “the function of running water” in fifth grade and the unit of “the structure and change of land” in sixth grade, respectively. On the other hand, teachers find it difficult to use those filed educational materials because of the lack of special knowledge and the difficulty of the use of regional materials. So, Kunibiki Geopark Project Center of Shimane University performed field studies utilizing these geosites for the regional elementary schools in cooperation with the regional education committee.
The sand mining so called “Kanna-nagashi” continued to be used for the tatara iron-making around the Hii riverine system since early times. The evidence can be observed as its remains and the slag in riverine sediment. The fact that a magnet sticks to granite gives a realization that magnetite used for the tatara iron-making is contained in rocks. In addition, the recurrent flooding of the Hii River creates “the Legend of Yamata-no-Orochi”. In sum, this place is valuable as the site where we can learn the perspective of Geopark that the structure and change of land directly connects to life of people and culture.