Introduction
Theme
Dissemination of research achievements on rocks and minerals
From the perspective of geoscience education, we conduct research to disseminate the achievements on rocks and minerals.
Formation and deformation processes of rocks and minerals and their strength and seismic propagation properties
We observe, analyze, and calculate natural rocks and minerals exposed on the earth's surface and samples recovered from experiments that have reacted and deformed.
In addition, we combine the results of material science studies of these rocks and minerals with geophysical observations.
Through these research activities, we try to elucidate "the state of the Earth's interior and the processes and mechanisms that created it.
Our goal is to contribute to the understanding of the dynamics of subduction zones by clarifying the state of rocks in the Earth's interior.
Please see below for our main research findings.
-
Mechanisms of formation and deformation of rocks and minerals
Observation and record of natural occurrences from fieldwork
Analysis of rocks collected from outcrops and rock samples recovered after experiments:
Nagaya et al. (2014, EPSL)
Nagaya et al. (2022, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology) -
Strength (stress, rheology, fracturing, etc.) and seismic propagation properties of rocks
Analysis of the micro-structures and arrangements of the minerals that constitute a rock
Characteristics of seismic wave propagation through rock:
Nagaya et al. (2016, Scientific Reports)
Nagaya et al. (2020, American Mineralogist) -
Search for optimal analytical conditions for laboratory instruments:
Nagaya et al. (2017, Journal of Structural Geology)
Keywords
Geoscience education, rock and mineral specimens, large-scale language models, generative AI
EBSD, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, EPMA, SEM
Solid Earth Physics, Structural Seismology, Subduction Zone, Upper Mantle, Continental Crust, Rock Structure, Seismic Anisotropy
Interior Earth Materials Science, Structural Geology, Petrology, Metamorphic Rocks, Serpentinite, Mineral Physics
Examples of Recent International Collaboration
Univ. Oxford, UK: Prof. M. Kendall, Senior Research Fellow Dr. A. Walker (seismic anisotropy and microstructure)
Univ. Southern California, USA: Prof. J. P. Platt (development of microstructure in two phase rocks)
Carnegie Mellon Univ, USA: Prof. M. DeGraef (development of EBSD systems)