Point

Comprehensively teaching and researching the global environment

By deepening our understanding of the universe that surrounds the earth, we teach various aspects of the earth as an inter-related series of one system – for example, the atmosphere and water which are essential for our life, composite material and characteristics of the land that supports buildings.

Coexistence of human-being and the earth

Based on knowledge of the global environment, educated personnel will understand the mechanisms of environmental change that threaten human life and the technology to reduce disasters.

Searching the earth and the universe by one’s own hand

We perform training and experiments to deal with various aspects of the earth, such as outdoor surveys and field observations. We have various facilities including earthquake and volcanic observatories, cold region weather laboratories, X-band weather radars to develop our understanding of the universe and the earth.

 

Voice of undergraduate

Being able to study a wide field from the basics to application is appealing.

Department of Earth and Environmental Science 4th grader (2017)
OKADA, Rina

Since I was a high school student, I was interested in earth sciences. I wanted to enter Hirosaki University to study in a wide range of sciences, including the universe, earthquakes, disaster prevention, weather, and geology.
Of these, I was most interested in the geological field. I actually did a geological survey on the west coast area of Tsugaru peninsula, predicting the time of occurrence and scale of a tsunami and high tide by collecting and analyzing samples of sediment, such as measuring the period of a piece of vegetation contained in the soil.
While carrying out research, I try to see things from various angles, and be flexible in my thinking.

Advice

Environmental issues and natural disasters:
Dive into various issues of the earth!

Professor UMEDA, Koji

In this department, we aim to understand the nature of various problems that occur between human society and the natural environment by viewing the universe and the earth as one system. From this, we seek to reduce environmental issues and natural disasters, etc.
In the specialized subjects, a wide range of fields can be studied, from sciences such as astronomy, geology, seismology, meteorology, to engineering subjects such as soil mechanics, architectural structural studies, and environmental chemistry.
In this research field, you can contribute to society while connecting with it, through constant monitoring of earthquake and volcanic activities centering in the Northern Tohoku region of Japan, weather observation of the world natural heritage, Shirakami Mountain Range, preparation of a hazard map in case of a volcanic eruption, flooding, and sediment disaster, providing technical support in the creation of a disaster-proof city, and the development of human resources with professional knowledge related to earth science.

Staff List

Global Environment and Disaster Prevention Sciences

Name Position Specialty Research Content
ICHIMURA, Masakatsu Professor High-energy astrophysics Observation of various types of cosmic rays originating from the universe. Survey of high-energy phenomena and information on the space through which they pass.
UMEDA, Koji Professor Topography, Natural Disaster Sciences Reconstructing past natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, eruptions, and floods by deciphering event deposits and contribute to disaster prevention and mitigation.
ORIHASHI, Yuji Professor Igneous petrology, Topography, Radiochronology We aim to understand the composition of igneous rocks using the geochemistry method to construct a new magma origin theory. Development of most-advanced geochemistry methods is also carried out.
KASAI, Masumi Professor Theoretical cosmophysics Keywords include the theory of general relativity, cosmology, advanced theoretical study of cosmophysics based on the theory of general relativity
KATAOKA, Shunichi Professor Earthquake engineering Study of ground motion in order to construct safe building structures, including surveys on ground base influence to the earthquake ground motion
MAEDA, Takuto Professor Seismology Study of heterogeneous structures within the earth and the developmental course of earthquakes and tsunamis through modelization of seismic waves and tsunami propagation.
YATAGAI, Akiyo Professor Meteorology, climatology Equipped with accurate rainfall data, problems caused by climate change are addressed using analysis and research of the atmosphere cycles and disaster data
ISHIDA, Sachinobu Associate Professor Atmospheric physics Study through observation of changes in the material circulation of heat, water, etc., depending on the type of earth surface and climate change.
KAMIHARAKO, Akihisa Associate Professor Infrastructure maintenance engineering Aging of reinforced concrete structures has become a growing social issue. Study of practical reparation and reinforcement methods
TAKAHASHI, Ryuichi Associate Professor Astrophysics, Astronomy Study under the theme of the origin of accelerated expansion of the universe, large-scale structures in the galaxy, the effect of gravitational lens and gravitational waves.
DOKE, Ryosuke Associate Professor Geodesy, Tectonic geomorphology, Seismic geology Research for understanding phenomena around active faults and volcanoes and clarification of their background tectonics
HORIUCHI, Kazuho Associate Professor Paleoclimatology, Cosmogenic nuclide Paleoclimatic research on geological/glaciological archives. Study of cosmic ray, solar activity and geomagnetic intensity in the past using cosmogenic radionuclides and its geochronological application.
SASAKI, Minoru Lecturer Volcanic Geology, Volcanic Rock Petrology Study of volcanic activity history and change in magma characteristics, through geological investigation and chemical analysis of volcanic ejecta targeting volcanos in Aomori prefecture
NEMOTO, Naoki Lecturer Topography, Paleontology Reconstruction of environments of the past, such as water depth and warm/cold weather, using foraminifers, fossils of minute organisms, which have accumulated in the geological layer.
KAJITA, Hiroto Assistant Professor
TAKANO, Tomoya Assistant Professor Seismology Studies on temporal changes of elastic properties in the Earth’s structure.

Earthquake and Volcano Observatory

Name Position Specialty Research Content
WATANABE, Kazutoshi Research Associate Seismology Seeking to understand the mechanisms in earthquake occurrence by processing seismic observation data and surveying on the seismic activities around Aomori prefecture.

Curriculum and Curriculum Policy