Research Frontier of Disaster Mitigation: Earthquake, Volcano and Technological Hazard (The 26th DPRI Public Lecture Series 2015, Kyoto University)

Many volcanoes in Japan have been active since the 2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake. Examples include the eruption of Mt Ontake in September 2014, which caused more than 60 casualties. On 29 May 2015, Mount Shindake erupted requiring the evacuation of all residents of Kuchi-no-Erabu Island. There is growing concern that inland earthquakes might occur prior to the Nankai Trough megaquake. How can we predict the strong motions caused by active faults just beneath the Kinki District? It is necessary for us to consider potential damages to transportation systems and industrial facilities caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions and their effects on society, and to be prepared for them. To address some of these issues, our scientists who play an active role in the research frontier of disaster mitigation will give their lectures in a comprehensible fashion based on the latest research developments.