Presentation Information
[O12-P90]Reassessment of the Safety Evaluation for Geosites in the Sanriku Geopark —Toward UNESCO Global Geopark Registration —
*Nozomi TAIRA1, *Keiji KAWAGUCHI1, *Misaki IWAOKA1, *Miria AKIYAMA1, *Keito SAKAMOTO1 (1. Marient Chikyu Tanken Club Senior)
Keywords:
Earthquake,tsunami,evacuation behavior,resilience,safety evaluation,hazard map,local knowledge,traditional knowledge
1. Introduction
We have been conducting studies on the Sanriku Geopark since 2018. At JpGU 2024, we presented an evaluation of the diversity and safety of 18 geosites in the Sanriku Geopark located in Hachinohe City and Hashikami Town in Aomori Prefecture, and Hirono Town in Iwate Prefecture (Fig. 1).
Conditions have changed since the Sanriku Geopark was established. These changes include advances in observations and research on earthquakes and tsunamis, and revisions of hazard maps.
In this study, we reexamined the existing safety evaluation and considered how information should be provided, especially for younger people and visitors who have little experience with earthquakes and tsunamis. The purpose of this study was to improve the safety of each geosite and to provide basic materials for future UNESCO Global Geopark registration.
2. Data and Methods
This study reviewed the 2024 report and re-examined the evaluation based on the latest hazard maps. For each target geosite, risk factors were organized into four categories: earthquakes, tsunamis and floods, sediment-related disasters, and other hazards, and each site was evaluated on a four-level scale.
In the evaluation, the degree of danger was assessed with a focus on how easily people could take life-saving action. The urgency of response was judged based on site conditions, the presence or absence of on-site warning signs, and the degree of countermeasures required. The results were organized into a comparison table and radar charts for analysis.
During the course of the study, we recognized that actions taken immediately after an earthquake are crucial for saving lives, and we created a pamphlet focusing on this period.
3. Results
The following main results were obtained from the examination of the evaluation table and radar charts.
・ Some geosites should be considered vulnerable to multiple types of hazards.
・ In coastal areas, the risk from earthquakes and tsunamis is high.
・ At some geosites where rocks and outcrops are observed, warning signs are insufficient.
・ Sediment-related disasters associated with flooding and heavy rainfall are predictable to some extent using weather information.
・ At geosites covering a wide area, evacuation guidance and information provision are difficult.
・ There are differences among municipalities in the way hazard maps are presented.
・ Outdated hazard maps may still remain online.
In preparing the pamphlet, we focused on the following points.
・ Using the phrase “life-saving action”
・ Emphasizing awareness of unusual changes in the surroundings
・ Encouraging immediate action once such changes are noticed
・ Incorporating examples of local knowledge, such as “Outa” and “D.C.H.”
・ Recommending the use of smartphone applications
The pamphlet will be presented together with the poster.
4. Discussion and Future Issues
In recent years, the types of disasters have become more diverse, making disaster prevention and mitigation at geosites even more important. This study revealed differences in hazard maps and disaster prevention education among local authorities, highlighting the need to provide information in a format that is easily understandable by visitors and young people.
In the future, we plan to publicize the results of this research, including through the internet, and to translate and distribute the pamphlet in multiple languages.
We believe that making use of the wisdom of local communities that have long lived in areas frequently affected by earthquakes and tsunamis, and that have learned to fear disasters appropriately and prepare for them properly, will not only enhance the value of the Sanriku Geopark but also provide an important foundation for UNESCO Global Geopark registration.
References
1) Sanriku Geopark Promotion Council, 2020, Sanriku Geopark Guidebook.
2) Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Hazard Map Portal Site (accessed September 7, 2025).
3) Hachinohe City Board of Education, Instruction Division, 2024, Hachinohe Version: Disaster Prevention Notebook for the Future, Elementary School Students (Lower Grades), Third Revised Edition, Hachinohe City.
4) Satake, K., 2017, Great earthquakes that occurred along the Kuril and Japan Trenches in the 17th century, Bulletin of the Earthquake Research Institute, Vol. 92, pp. 31–47.
5) Japan ShakeOut Promotion Council, 2025, What Is a ShakeOut Drill?, Disaster Prevention Education Promotion Association. (accessed February 17, 2026)
We have been conducting studies on the Sanriku Geopark since 2018. At JpGU 2024, we presented an evaluation of the diversity and safety of 18 geosites in the Sanriku Geopark located in Hachinohe City and Hashikami Town in Aomori Prefecture, and Hirono Town in Iwate Prefecture (Fig. 1).
Conditions have changed since the Sanriku Geopark was established. These changes include advances in observations and research on earthquakes and tsunamis, and revisions of hazard maps.
In this study, we reexamined the existing safety evaluation and considered how information should be provided, especially for younger people and visitors who have little experience with earthquakes and tsunamis. The purpose of this study was to improve the safety of each geosite and to provide basic materials for future UNESCO Global Geopark registration.
2. Data and Methods
This study reviewed the 2024 report and re-examined the evaluation based on the latest hazard maps. For each target geosite, risk factors were organized into four categories: earthquakes, tsunamis and floods, sediment-related disasters, and other hazards, and each site was evaluated on a four-level scale.
In the evaluation, the degree of danger was assessed with a focus on how easily people could take life-saving action. The urgency of response was judged based on site conditions, the presence or absence of on-site warning signs, and the degree of countermeasures required. The results were organized into a comparison table and radar charts for analysis.
During the course of the study, we recognized that actions taken immediately after an earthquake are crucial for saving lives, and we created a pamphlet focusing on this period.
3. Results
The following main results were obtained from the examination of the evaluation table and radar charts.
・ Some geosites should be considered vulnerable to multiple types of hazards.
・ In coastal areas, the risk from earthquakes and tsunamis is high.
・ At some geosites where rocks and outcrops are observed, warning signs are insufficient.
・ Sediment-related disasters associated with flooding and heavy rainfall are predictable to some extent using weather information.
・ At geosites covering a wide area, evacuation guidance and information provision are difficult.
・ There are differences among municipalities in the way hazard maps are presented.
・ Outdated hazard maps may still remain online.
In preparing the pamphlet, we focused on the following points.
・ Using the phrase “life-saving action”
・ Emphasizing awareness of unusual changes in the surroundings
・ Encouraging immediate action once such changes are noticed
・ Incorporating examples of local knowledge, such as “Outa” and “D.C.H.”
・ Recommending the use of smartphone applications
The pamphlet will be presented together with the poster.
4. Discussion and Future Issues
In recent years, the types of disasters have become more diverse, making disaster prevention and mitigation at geosites even more important. This study revealed differences in hazard maps and disaster prevention education among local authorities, highlighting the need to provide information in a format that is easily understandable by visitors and young people.
In the future, we plan to publicize the results of this research, including through the internet, and to translate and distribute the pamphlet in multiple languages.
We believe that making use of the wisdom of local communities that have long lived in areas frequently affected by earthquakes and tsunamis, and that have learned to fear disasters appropriately and prepare for them properly, will not only enhance the value of the Sanriku Geopark but also provide an important foundation for UNESCO Global Geopark registration.
References
1) Sanriku Geopark Promotion Council, 2020, Sanriku Geopark Guidebook.
2) Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Hazard Map Portal Site (accessed September 7, 2025).
3) Hachinohe City Board of Education, Instruction Division, 2024, Hachinohe Version: Disaster Prevention Notebook for the Future, Elementary School Students (Lower Grades), Third Revised Edition, Hachinohe City.
4) Satake, K., 2017, Great earthquakes that occurred along the Kuril and Japan Trenches in the 17th century, Bulletin of the Earthquake Research Institute, Vol. 92, pp. 31–47.
5) Japan ShakeOut Promotion Council, 2025, What Is a ShakeOut Drill?, Disaster Prevention Education Promotion Association. (accessed February 17, 2026)