Hyogo Pref Univ: Structure elucidation of submarine hydrothermal deposits: Okinawa , gold, silver, copper layers
Hyogo Prefectural University / Kyoto University
Joint research groups such as Kyoto University and Hyogo Prefectural University have announced that they have recently discovered the underground structure of the deposit, located off the northwestern coast of Okinawa Island.
At the bottom of Japan’s EEZ (territorial waters, exclusive economic zone), there are many ore deposits.
This discovery: Submarine hydrothermal deposits
This discovery is likely to provide clues for future resource development.
In a submarine hydrothermal deposit, seawater heated by magma gushes on the seabed, and the metal components contained therein can cool and solidify.
It is found off Okinawa Island, Izu, and Ogasawara waters.
Mineral reserves are said to reach millions of tons even at a single location off the main island of Okinawa.
“Undersea electric survey”: Create cross section
The research began in 2012, with Kyushu University and Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology in addition to the two universities.
“Undersea electric survey” that creates a cross section of the underground by sending a weak current to the sea floor.
Hyogo University Graduate School: Professor Goto (Geophysics)
Undersea electrical exploration can be significantly faster than undersea drilling.
We have also demonstrated that we can explore a wide area.
In the future, global price rise of metal resources is expected.
By combining survey methods, it is possible to “estimate efficiently how much reserves are on the seabed in Japan”.
(Kobe Shimbun NEXT)-Yahoo! News
https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20191218-00000006-kobenext-sctch