5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[MZZ45-P05] Mapping the characteristics of weather and climate, as well as traditions related to disasters
Keywords:Weather disaster, Disaster oral tradition, Western Honshu-Shikoku-Kinki region brock of JGN, Geopark
1. Introduction
The distinctive landscapes and the rich culture that have developed in various regions of Japan are deeply influenced by past geological events, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and landslides. Japan is surrounded by several types of oceans and has a varied land. Therefore, each area is influenced by its unique geographical features and climate, resulting in different climates throughout the four seasons. Additionally, areas have often been struck by disasters such as heavy rain, heavy snowfall, and typhoons. Weather disasters and traditions from each area have been recorded through various methods. For example, natural disaster monuments are stone tablets that record the details of past natural disasters, such as their characteristics and the extent of the damage. These monuments are plotted on maps by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, with their locations and contents publicly available. However, there are few records that compile the characteristics of weather, climate, and stories of weather disasters from each area that have not been preserved as monuments. As of February 2025, there are 48 Geopark areas, distributed across Japan. In each area, events and traditions linking distinctive geology, topography, and related weather or climate phenomena have been preserved in various forms, including monuments, intangible heritage, and written records.
2. Initiatives at the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki Regional Workshop
This time, an effort was made at the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki Regional Workshop to compile and map the characteristics of weather, climate, and the tradition of weather disasters from the 10 regions of the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki block. The reason for using the method of mapping is that 1) it can be displayed in various places, such as on the web or in print, making it a tool that can be viewed by many people, and 2) it allows for comparison of the commonalities and differences between the regions, offering these advantages.
Before creating the map, each participant first presented on 1) the characteristics of weather and climate, 2) representative past weather disasters (events), and 3) traditions related to climate and weather. Through these presentations, they identified the commonalities and differences in weather and climate across the regions. Afterward, group work was conducted to create sheets summarizing the above 1) to 3) content. Then, the locations of items 2) and 3) were plotted on the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki regional map.
3. After the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki Regional Workshop
After the workshop, the sheets and maps compiled during the session were digitized. One of the challenges during the digitization process was that, due to the short duration of the workshop, more time was required to organize the regions and content of disaster stories. The map summarizing the characteristics of weather, climate, and the tradition of weather disasters from each region will be distributed to each Geopark as digital data and posters. The map developed in this project will be used as a tool to raise awareness of natural disasters and disaster prevention activities in each area, and also as a tool to identify commonalities and differences between the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki regions.
The distinctive landscapes and the rich culture that have developed in various regions of Japan are deeply influenced by past geological events, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and landslides. Japan is surrounded by several types of oceans and has a varied land. Therefore, each area is influenced by its unique geographical features and climate, resulting in different climates throughout the four seasons. Additionally, areas have often been struck by disasters such as heavy rain, heavy snowfall, and typhoons. Weather disasters and traditions from each area have been recorded through various methods. For example, natural disaster monuments are stone tablets that record the details of past natural disasters, such as their characteristics and the extent of the damage. These monuments are plotted on maps by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, with their locations and contents publicly available. However, there are few records that compile the characteristics of weather, climate, and stories of weather disasters from each area that have not been preserved as monuments. As of February 2025, there are 48 Geopark areas, distributed across Japan. In each area, events and traditions linking distinctive geology, topography, and related weather or climate phenomena have been preserved in various forms, including monuments, intangible heritage, and written records.
2. Initiatives at the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki Regional Workshop
This time, an effort was made at the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki Regional Workshop to compile and map the characteristics of weather, climate, and the tradition of weather disasters from the 10 regions of the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki block. The reason for using the method of mapping is that 1) it can be displayed in various places, such as on the web or in print, making it a tool that can be viewed by many people, and 2) it allows for comparison of the commonalities and differences between the regions, offering these advantages.
Before creating the map, each participant first presented on 1) the characteristics of weather and climate, 2) representative past weather disasters (events), and 3) traditions related to climate and weather. Through these presentations, they identified the commonalities and differences in weather and climate across the regions. Afterward, group work was conducted to create sheets summarizing the above 1) to 3) content. Then, the locations of items 2) and 3) were plotted on the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki regional map.
3. After the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki Regional Workshop
After the workshop, the sheets and maps compiled during the session were digitized. One of the challenges during the digitization process was that, due to the short duration of the workshop, more time was required to organize the regions and content of disaster stories. The map summarizing the characteristics of weather, climate, and the tradition of weather disasters from each region will be distributed to each Geopark as digital data and posters. The map developed in this project will be used as a tool to raise awareness of natural disasters and disaster prevention activities in each area, and also as a tool to identify commonalities and differences between the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kinki regions.