Directors

Yoshihiro Ishizuka (Director)

I investigate volcanic evolution and geological structures through geological surveys and eruption history analyses. By examining the spatiotemporal distribution and petrological and geochronological features of eruptive products, I clarify long term volcanic activity trends and changes in magma supply systems. These fundamental studies support future volcanic activity assessment and disaster mitigation.

Kazutoshi Imanishi (Deputy Director)

My research focuses on investigating the state of crustal stress that causes earthquakes through the analysis of seismic and geodetic data, with the long-term goal of improving earthquake forecasting. I also place strong emphasis on temporary field observations that incorporate original ideas, as well as on the development of new analytical methods. Through active discussions with colleagues who have diverse expertise, I aim to steadily advance our understanding of the mechanisms of earthquake occurrence.

https://researchmap.jp/imani

Yukari Miyashita (Deputy Director)
Masanobu shishikura (Associate Manager)

My research focuses on paleoseismology, using evidence from landforms, geological features, and historical records. By analyzing emerged coastal landforms and uplifted biological remains, I investigate the timing of past offshore earthquakes and associated crustal movements. I also study tsunami deposits and inland active faults. Using field survey data, I work with geophysicists to model past earthquake sources.

Junko Komatsubara (Associate Manager)

I study the subsurface geology of the Tokyo metropolitan area using all-core drilling surveys and existing borehole data, with a particular focus on the latest Pleistocene–Holocene deposits commonly referred to as soft ground. My research aims to reconstruct the evolution of depositional environments and to map their detailed three-dimensional distribution. I am also interested in how the internal structure of these deposits influences ground characteristics, and I am developing methods to identify microtopography in lowlands using microtremor observation data.

Osamu Ishizuka (Prime Senior Researcher)

I have been developing and maintaining Ar/Ar dating system using the laser heating method at Geological Survey of Japan. I have applied this technique to samples obtained from seafloor and land surveys, and, in conjunction with the geochemical study, have been working  to establish a precise time scale for magmatic processes mainly in arc-backarc setting.

Makoto Otsubo (concurrent) (secondment)

I research underground geological characteristics, dynamic geological processes, and the long-term stability of geological environments to understand possibilities of the fault movements, volcanic activity and uplift/erosion. I study constructing long-term dynamic geological modeling for connections between fault and volcanic activities by using the Tectonophysics approaches.

HP: https://staff.aist.go.jp/otsubo-m/index.html

Yusuke Minami (Researcher)

Expertise: Volcano Geology

Yukinobu Okamura (Invited Senior Researcher)
Hiroshi Shinohara (Invited Senior Researcher)

With the aime to understand and forecast volcanic activities, I conduct researches based on volcanic gas observations. Based on chemical compositions of volcanic gases, obtained by direct-sampling/analyses and the Multi-GAS observations, I investigate origin and evolution processes of volcanic gas and hydrothermal systems. I'm also conducting modelings of volcanic activities of open-conduit volcanoes applying the conduit magma convection model.

HP: Magmatic Activity Research Group

Akikazu Matsumoto (Invited Senior Researcher)
Takahiro Yamamoto (Invited Senior Researcher)

My specialisation is in volcanic geology and petrology. By reconstructing volcanic eruption histories and mapping geological products, I contribute to the long-term assessment of volcanic activity and disaster prediction.