Exploration [ Explore the Frontiers ] | Exhibision

The Probe Plan for the Moon and the Planets

On the glass wall where you can get a full view of the probe plan for the Moon and the planets, models of planets and the probe itself will be set up. Also, the probe plan for the Moon, Venus, Mercury and asteroids are introduced in an understandable way using illustrations. From the exhibition of the interpretation image and the trial instrument, the reality of the researcher's process of trial and error, as well as their individual personalities, can be understood.

System of the Earth Revealed by Deep Sea Drilling

The deep sea drilling vessel "CHIKYU" proudly presents the ability to drill 7,500 m under the seafloor, the greatest such depth achieved. It is gaining attention as a way of learning more about the origin of life and the mechanism of the emergence of gigantic earthquakes by examining a "core" which is a columnar sample obtained by deep sea drilling. This exhibit will convey the grandeur of this massive scale research project which challenges the unknown frontier of internal Earth.

Records of a gigantic meteorite impact carved in the geological strata

The history of the Earth is recorded in her strata. In the K-T boundary in Cuba, presented in this exhibit, no traces of life can be found because Mesozoic life suffered mass extinction. A matter called iridium was concentrated at the top of the boundary between the Cenozoic and Mesozoic periods, due to this impact event of the massive meteorite. Researchers conducting studies in Cuba explain their findings in a video called "Searching the History of Earth."

Seismic Activity Viewed through Hi-net

The high sensitivity seismograph network "Hi-net" was developed to understand the pattern of the occurrence of earthquakes in response to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Here, you can view the real seismograph and the actual data sent from seismographs buried underground throughout approximately 800 domestic areas.

Interviews with researchers

People interviewed (titles omitted)

• Norihiko Kikuyama
• Takafumi Matsui
• Yasunori Matogawa
• Mizuho Ishida
• Hitoshi Mizutani
• Yoji Totsuka
• Takeo Kosugi