The University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP NIGS) hosted faculty and students from the Department of Earth Science of Kanazawa University, Japan last February 13-20, 2023 for a week-long fieldwork in the Philippines. Leading the team from Kanazawa University are Dr. Tomoaki Morishita and Dr. Yoichi Usui. The main goal of the fieldwork is to look into the different processes involved in subduction-related settings specifically ophiolite emplacement and arc volcanism in the Philippines.
The joint activity began with fieldwork in Palawan on February 13-18. Led by Dr. Gabriel Theophilus Valera and Mr. Nikko Balanial, the group visited outcrops of the Palawan Ophiolite where mantle and crustal sections are exposed. Dr. Valera highlighted the various lithological units in ophiolites and the processes involved in their emplacement.
After Palawan, the team travelled to Tarlac to visit Mount Pinatubo with Dr. Betchaida Payot and Dr. Americus Perez. Dr. Payot emphasized the significance of mantle xenoliths in relation to subduction processes while Dr. Perez led the discussion on arc volcanism and associated hazards. Upon returning to Quezon City, Dr. Morishita and Dr. Usui gave lectures at UP NIGS which was attended by students and faculty members. These joint activities between UP NIGS and Kanazawa University further strengthened the collaboration between the two universities.
(Top row, from left to right)
Students from Kanazawa University analyzing deformation structures in a schist outcrop, Palawan. Group photo in a dunite-harzburgite outcrop in Ulugan Bay. Dr. Valera stressing a point while discussing formation of metamorphic rocks.
(Middle)
Photo with Dr. Tomoaki Morishita (center, in black) and Dr. Yoichi Usui (center, in blue) together with the participants of the lectures from UP NIGS and Kanazawa University.
(Bottom row, from left to right)
Dr. Perez discussing the origin of volcanic rocks in Mount Pinatubo. Group photo at the crater lake of Mount Pinatubo. Students doing a jumpshot at the crater lake of Mt. Pinatubo.