The mission of the Earthquake Research Institute (ERI) has been to investigate earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and to develop methods mitigating disasters caused by earthquakes. ERI played a leading role in the establishment of modern seismology in its long history exceeding 75 years. Recently new research plans have been made to extend the frontiers of earth sciences through deep discussion in the institute. These research plans were evaluated as being innovative in the external review that was made in 1999. We are directing our efforts to promote these research plans in order to play a leading role in the production of new ideas about earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
A global view about the Earth is required for the fundamental understanding of phenomena related to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Such studies could be efficiently carried out in close cooperation with many researchers. As a "Shared Institute of Japanese Universities", ERI is making an effort to promote close collaboration among researchers. ERI is also recognized as a core institute for the research of earthquake prediction and volcanic eruption prediction, and we are promoting the prediction research cooperatively with related researchers over the nation. We will continue to contribute to the development of earth sciences in collaboration with researchers throughout the nation.
Faculty members of ERI are actively involved in the education of graduate
students at the University of Tokyo. ERI is characterized by advanced field
and laboratory researches. Graduate students at ERI could feel a "breath"
of the Earth, joining such research programs. We will continue to promote
education characterized by the above features in collaboration with graduate
schools of the University of Tokyo.
