Mystery of the Earth
The earth lies beneath our feet. It bears the marks of the earth's workings and the history of life that has continued since long ago, and it holds the key to solving many mysteries, such as the changes in the earth and the evolution of living things. Here, we introduce the research of the University of Hyogo, which is approaching the grand story hidden in the earth.
The History of Life as Told by Fossils:
The Story of Evolution as Deciphered from Small Bones
Tadahiro Ikeda
Professor, Institute of Natural and Environmental Sciences
My research focuses on the fossils of amphibians and reptiles, including snakes, frogs, and lizards. While the public often associates fossils primarily with dinosaurs, reconstructing the evolutionary history of life and past ecosystems requires comprehensive investigation of a wide range of taxa, not only large-bodied vertebrates. By integrating morphological and taxonomic knowledge of extant species, I aim to identify the biological affinities of fossil specimens and elucidate patterns of morphological evolution through time.
My work began with fossil snakes recovered from several islands in the Ryukyu Archipelago. These specimens, primarily vertebrae dated to approximately 1.5 million and 20,000 years ago, were compared with modern snake species currently inhabiting the region and adjacent areas. Through this comparative analysis, I have been able to classify the fossils and reconstruct aspects of the historical distribution and diversity of snakes in the archipelago.
Subsequently, my research has expanded to include fossils from Cretaceous deposits in the Tamba region, Hyogo, Japan, specifically from the Ohyamashimo Formation of the Sasayama Group (ca. 110 million years ago). These deposits have yielded fossil remains of frogs and lizards alongside dinosaur specimens. Such finds are globally significant, as Mesozoic amphibian and reptile fossils are relatively rare, and they provide critical data for understanding vertebrate assemblages and evolutionary trajectories during this period.
Fossil research involves a series of detailed procedures beyond excavation. Specimens must first undergo careful mechanical and/or chemical preparation. They are then subjected to morphological analysis and comparative study with reference materials from global collections. Through this process, the taxonomic identity and evolutionary relevance of each fossil can be assessed. The findings are disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, thereby contributing to broader discussions on vertebrate evolution and paleoecology. In this way, paleontological research offers essential insights into the origins of present-day biodiversity and informs our understanding of ecosystem dynamics over geological timescales.
In addition to research, I actively engage in science communication and outreach. Through field-based programs and educational workshops, particularly for younger audiences, I aim to foster interest in paleontology and convey the scientific and cultural significance of fossils. These activities are conducted in close collaboration with local communities, whose support is indispensable to both research and education. I remain committed to strengthening these partnerships as I continue to advance both academic and public-facing aspects of my work.
My interest in paleontology traces back to my childhood, when I was inspired by science programs on television and captivated by the idea of exploring unknown worlds. That fascination remains undiminished. The process of revealing previously unseen aspects of Earth’s biological past continues to motivate my research and represents a challenge I am deeply committed to pursuing.
Expanding Research
Revealing the Earth's history, the world of paleomagnetism
Koji Uno
Professor, School of Human Science and Environment
My specialty is paleomagnetism. Rocks contain geomagnetic inscriptions from their formation, and analyzing these records can reveal the Earth's past. For example, it is said that the Japanese Islands were connected to the Asian continent 20 million years ago but changed to their present shape with the birth of the Sea of Japan. One evidence for this is the direction of the magnetic field in the rocks. We can see the history of continental drift and crustal movement by measuring the direction of the magnetic field in rocks with a magnetometer and collecting data. The temperature of volcanic eruptions and pyroclastic flows can also be studied. The temperature at which rocks emplace can be estimated from paleomagnetism, and this information can be applied to disaster prevention by determining the scale of past volcanic activity. Furthermore, it may help identify long-term stable ground, contributing to the safety assessment of nuclear power plants and infrastructure development. In the future, I would like to elucidate the history of the formation of the Japanese archipelago in more detail and actively engage in applied research.
Revealing magma’s secrets encoded in volcanic rocks
Kyohei Sano
Lecturer, Graduate School of Regional Resource Management
I study the mechanisms of volcanic eruptions. When you hear the word "volcanic eruption," you may think of explosions or lava flows, but there are diverse types of eruption. By analyzing volcanic rocks ejected during eruptions and studying their texture and chemical composition, we can reveal the mechanism and eruption processes. For example, by examining the size distribution and number density of bubbles in pumice, it is possible to infer how the magma rose. Also, by analyzing the crystals in volcanic rocks, we can understand the state and changes of magma during eruption. This research provides insight into past volcanic activity and may enable the prediction of future eruptions. Japan has many volcanoes, and so we face the constant risk of eruptions although we receive many benefits from volcanoes. I will continue to conduct field research, experiments, and analyses in the hope that my research will improve the accuracy of eruption prediction and disaster prevention measures.
Focus on Person
Analyzing the land's stability based on the direction of the earth's magnetic field
I am currently studying the history of crustal deformation in the western part of the Japanese Islands over about 100 million years. Using paleomagnetic techniques, I have analyzed data on the magnetization of the strata of the Kibi Plateau and established a paleomagnetic pole shift curve for southwestern Japan. As a result, I found that the Kibi Plateau has been stable for 40 million years since about 110 million years ago. Identifying stable regions is important in Japan, where there are many earthquakes and much volcanic activity exist. In the future, I aim to contribute to disaster prevention and mitigation by comparing data from other regions and elucidating the mechanism of long-term crustal stability in the Japanese archipelago.
Analyzing the land's stability based on the direction of the earth's magnetic field
Haruki Suga
4th year student, School of Human Science and Environment