From Continental Shelf to Slope: Mapping the Oceanic Realm
CONTAINS OPEN ACCESS

This volume covers multi-disciplinary Research and Development contributions from Europe, Asia and North America on geology, geophysics, bathymetric and biological aspects, towards data sampling, acquisition, data analysis and its results, and innovative ways of data access. It also presents the development of processes to map, harmonize and integrate marine data across EEZ boundaries, an impressive example of which is the European EMODnet (European Marine Observation and Data network) initiative. EMODnet assembles scattered and partially hidden marine data into continentally harmonized geospatial data products for public benefit and increasingly within overseas collaboration. The volume also aims to shed light on an evaluation of biological and mineral resources and environmental assessments at continental shelf to slope depths. Western Pacific examples provide excellent case studies for this topic. Mapping of the Ocean Realm is not only for scientific purposes, but also for the people who live by the seas. Communication amongst scientists and multiple stakeholders is essential for living sustainably with the seas. In this volume we encourage dialogue amongst all the stakeholders.
Geological mapping of coastal and offshore Japan (by GSJ-AIST): collecting and utilizing the geological information
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Published:September 07, 2022
Abstract
Devastating earthquakes and tsunamis capable of causing catastrophic damage to human societies and economies have frequently occurred on and around the Japanese islands. Because Japan is a long and narrow island arc in the Pacific Ocean located at the junction of four plates (the Eurasian and Philippine Sea Plates in the SW and the North America and Pacific Plates in the NE), it has probably suffered the highest number of earthquake and tsunami events anywhere in the world. Hence, geological and geoinformation investigations are supremely important, not only for understanding the geological development of Japan but also for forecasting the risks associated with geohazards and securing the safety of human lives and infrastructures. For these reasons, the Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (GSJ-AIST) has been conducting marine geological surveys since 1974 and, as of the end of 2019, produced a Marine Geology Map Series consisting of 90 geological maps. In addition, a coastal zone research project that aims to connect marine, coastal and land area geoinformation seamlessly was launched in 2008 to survey areas that have not yet been investigated, and six maps of geologically distinct areas have already been published based on that collected data.
- Asia
- coastal environment
- data bases
- data processing
- earthquakes
- Far East
- geographic information systems
- geologic hazards
- government agencies
- information systems
- infrastructure
- Japan
- mapping
- marine geology
- natural hazards
- Okinawa
- Pacific Ocean
- risk assessment
- Ryukyu Islands
- safety
- shorelines
- survey organizations
- tsunamis