Our research focuses on three major areas central to ensuring the sustainable development of society: (1) Utilization of the geo-environment to establish a sustainable and stable energy cycle, (2) protection of the geo-environment for the safety and health of all, and (3) procurement of a stable supply of natural resources for industrial and social activities. This brochure describes ten noteworthy projects carried out at our institute over the past year.

• Scientific and technological promise
• High standards of technological transfer through collaboration
• Initiatives to build the foundation of a geologic knowledge base

I sincerely hope that this brochure will help you understand the nature, activities, and contributions of our institute.

1. Discovery of arsenic-accumulating bacteria
2. Collaborative research in evaluation of heavy rare earth element resources
3. Anomalously high number of methanogens in the low-density layer in Holocene marine mud under the Nakagawa Lowland, central Japan
4. Development of geothermal reservoirs management techniques
5. Use of electromagnetic exploration methods to identify high-salinity groundwater zones
6. Completion and publication of water environment maps for urban areas
7. Development of Geosphere Environmental Risk Assessment System
8. Completion and publication of a series of 1:500,000 scale mineral resources maps
9. Downhole percussion drill
10. Completion and publication of Off Sanriku Fuel Resource Geology Map