KAWAMURA Kiichiro | Earth Science & Submarine Geohazards

About

川村　喜一郎

所属・役職

国立大学法人山口大学大学院創成科学研究科
地球圏生命物質科学系専攻（理学系学域）地球科学分野／理学部地球圏システム科学科
教授、筑波大学博士（理学）

日本学術会議
連携会員

委員長
国際地質科学連合　海底ジオハザード・タスクグループ（IUGS-TGSG）／海底地質リスク評価研究会（SSSGR）

技術士（応用理学部門）／高等学校教諭（理科）

Profile links

Researchmap ORCID SCOPUS Google Scholar Yamaguchi University ResearchGate

Research links

IUGS-TGSG Flyer1 Flyer2 SSSGR Flyer1

Lab activities

Facebook YouTube

Research Themes

These are the research themes currently envisioned by the laboratory for 2026.

Contourites

Contourites from the northwestern Pacific and the Atlantic were studied using grain-size analysis and multivariate analysis. Related article Related article

Diagenesis

Studying the consolidation and diagenesis processes of sediments through the observation of clay microstructures and soil mechanics testing. Related article Related article

Submarine Landslides

The mode of movement of olistoliths in the Nichinan Group, Miyazaki Prefecture, was investigated through field observations and seismic surveys. Related article Related article

Microtopography of Tidal Flats

Conducting research on the relationship between the suction effect and sedimentation processes, using Kiwara Beach being a tidal flat as the study site.

Submarine Volcanoes

We conducted chemical analysis of tephra layers and related sediment layers in deep-sea sediments to study eruption history.

Methane Seeps and Shallow Gas

Investigating the formation process of the Kuroshima Knoll off Ishigaki Island using collected samples and visual imagery. Related article Related article

Landforms and geology Around the World

Researching active landforms—such as landslides and active faults—using satellite data and field surveys. Related article Related article

Submarine geological hazards and risks

Establish safety criteria and international standards regarding seafloor geological geohazards and risks in active margin regions. Related article Related article

Various geological research topics

In addition, we accept topics related to geological phenomena through interviews.

A Message to Students

From Uncertainty to Understanding, and from Understanding to Solutions

We study the Earth from a global perspective, seeking to understand how disasters occur by examining geological processes across seafloors and landmasses around the world and through geological time. Our ultimate goal is not simply to understand the past, but to use that knowledge to help create a safer and more resilient future.
Geology teaches us that there is rarely a single, certain answer. The Earth has changed over immense spans of time, and the evidence we have is always incomplete. But uncertainty is not something to fear. It is an opportunity to ask questions, explore possibilities, and discover something new.
Our research advances through a continuous cycle of observation, hypothesis formulation, verification, and refinement. By repeating this process, we gradually move from what we do not know toward what we can understand. The knowledge and evidence we accumulate are ultimately integrated into optimization models that identify the most effective solutions to geological hazards and disaster risks. In this way, our research moves beyond understanding the Earth to providing practical pathways toward a safer future.
As a student, you may not always know where your path will lead. You do not need to. What matters is being willing to take the next step. Observe carefully. Think for yourself. Try something new. Learn from what does not work. Then take another step.
Small choices may seem insignificant at the time, but their accumulation can eventually create a path that you could not have seen at the beginning.
Take that first step. The path will emerge as you move forward.

New Field Tools

These tools have been developed and are being presented for use in fieldwork and geology education. If you are interested, please contact us via email.

Acrylic geocompass

Grain size comparator on Sedimentology