I am interested in elucidating processes occurring inside the Earth using seismological methods. My recent major research topics include:


(1) Elucidation of the lithosphere-asthenosphere system of the oceanic mantle:

Recent advances in ocean bottom broadband seismometry, together with advances in the seismic analysis methodology, have brought us new opprtunities to elucidate the lithosphere-asthenosphere system of the oceanic mantle to eventually resolve the condition neccesary to operate plate tectonics in the Earth.

(2) Seismological study of the Earth's deep interior:

Seismology is the only tool that allows us to directly observe processes in the deep Earth.

Subduction zone:


Deep Earth:


(3) Realtime monitoring of the earth's activity field:

We have developed a new method to monitor Earth's activity (earthquakes, volcanic activities, etc.) by continuously monitoring long-period seismic wavefield, and more recently realtime back-projection methods.

(4) Blue Earth Seismology:

This is a symbolic name of a new field in seismology that deals not only with the solid part of the Earth but also with the fluid part (ocean and atmosphere). Waves and disturbances in the fluid part of the Earth can excite seismic waves in the solid part (and vice versa) that we observe with seismometers (or barometers). Such 'noises' are now used to monitor the physical condition of the earth's crust and other parts.

(5) Volcano seismology:

we are one of the early groups who installed broadband seismometers at volcanoes.
go to Home OHRC ERI