About ISV
Overview
Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (ISV), Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University is one of the research and observational bases on seismology and volcanology in Japan. ISV has been conducting “Earthquake and Volcano Hazards Observation and Research Program” of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan in collaboration with other research institutes under the national project. ISV also participates in the education programs for graduate students as chair of Seismology and Volcanology, Department of Natural History Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University. In addition, ISV cooperates with the School of Science in its education programs.
History
Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (ISV) was founded in April 1998, combined with several observatories, including Urakawa Seismological Observatory (initially established in 1966), Erimo Geophysical Observatory (in 1970), Sapporo Seismological Observatory (in 1972), Research Center for Earthquake Prediction (in 1976), Usu Volcano Observatory (in 1977), and Laboratory for Ocean Bottom Seismology (in 1979).
Organization
ISV consists of four main research laboratories and three sections;
Laboratory for Seismological Observation
Research section to investigate the generation mechanism of large earthquakes and damaged earthquakes around Hokkaido, using seismic waveforms, crustal deformation, and tsunami observation and data analysis.
Laboratory for Ocean Bottom Seismology and Tsunami
Research section to investigate solid-earth geophysical phenomena in the crust and upper mantle beneath the deep sea floor, observed by underground structure survey, seismic observation and tsunami survey around the Japan Trench and Kuril Islands Trench.
Laboratory for Volcano Physics
Research section to investigate the mechanism and eruption prediction of volcanic eruptions on volcanoes in Japan and abroad. The development of new observation methods that will lead the next generation of earth sciences has been also carried out.
Laboratory for Subsurface Structure
The research section investigates the underground structure that is the place of the earthquake and the volcano, the earthquake conducts research researching by transmitting electromagnetic waves. Research for activity prediction is also promoted.
- Observation Technical Staff Section
Supporting the four research laboratories by developing, installing, and maintaining observation instruments - Scientific Support Section of HazardMitigation for Earthquakes and Volcanoes (SSS)
To contribute to disaster mitigation in Hokkaido through outreach activity (established in April 2006)