Charting new depths: NIGS professors and students embarked on Marine Geophysics Exchange Program

Dr. Carla B. Dimalanta and Dr. Leo T. Armada, accompanied by several graduate and undergraduate students from the Rushurgent Working Group, embarked on a short-term visit to the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) in Yokohama, Japan last March 3-9, 2024.  They were also joined by a group of Indonesian researchers/geoscientists from the Bandung Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency.  The exchange program was organized and facilitated by Dr. Moe Kyaw, Dr. Yasuyuki Nakamura and Dr. Yasushi Ishihara of JAMSTEC through the Sakura Science Exchange Program. 

Experts from JAMSTEC generously imparted their expertise through engaging lectures, providing invaluable insights into a spectrum of marine geophysical techniques including multi-beam echo sounding, sub-bottom profiling, gravity, and magnetics. Furthermore, the team was given hands-on training exercises on processing and interpreting marine geophysical data, particularly multi-channel seismic and ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) data by the JAMSTEC researchers. 

Sakura Science Exchange Program participants from the Philippines and Indonesia, together with the researchers from JAMSTEC, (from left to right at the back) Dr. Yashushi Ishihara, Dr. Yasuyuki Nakamura, Dr. Moe Kyaw, Dr. Kazuya Shiraishi, and Dr. Ryuta Arai.

The team was introduced to JAMSTEC's cutting-edge technology and facilities, including their research vessels, OBS maintenance facility, and geochemistry laboratory located at their Yokosuka headquarters.  They also toured the Earth Simulator 4 supercomputers and the backup site of DONET (Dense Oceanfloor Network System for Earthquakes and Tsunamis), which is one of Japan's real-time seafloor observatory and earthquake monitoring systems. 

Research vessel, Earth Simulator, geochemical laboratory, and OBS facility tours.

The Sakura Science Exchange Program, initiated and financially supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, endeavors to provide a transformative experience for young international scholars. Through immersive exposure to Japan's forefront technology during a short visit, the program aims to cultivate valuable networks among local and foreign universities and research institutions, fostering global collaboration and knowledge exchange.