History

 The Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions has a long history. The origin of the center was Mukaiyama Observatory established in 1912 as an observatory affiliated to the College of Science, Tohoku Imperial University (later renamed Faculty of Science, Tohoku University). The observatory was built at Saekiyama (region now part of Mukaiyama in Sendai city), and seismological, meteorological and astronomical observations were carried out at the observatory. In 1931, the observatory moved to Yagiyama area in Sendai. In 1952, the observatory was renamed the Seismological Observatory, Faculty of Science. In 1967, the observatory was relocated to the present location, Aobayama area and renamed Aobayama Seismological Observatory.

 Based on the first 5-year Program for Earthquake Prediction proposed by the Geodetic Council in the Ministry of Education, Akita Geophysical Observatory (1965), Honjo Seismological Observatory (1966), Sanriku Geophysical Observatory (1967) and Kitakami Seismological Observatory (1969) were established one after another as facilities attached to the Faculty of Science. This observatory net made it possible to continuously monitor activities of microearthquakes and crustal deformation in Tohoku district. To improve processing and analytical capabilities and to further advance seismological research, Observation Center for Earthquake Prediction was established adjacent to Aobayama Seismological Observatory in 1974, and a telemetry system using telephone lines was also installed in the same year.

 The observation center also joined in the National Project for Prediction of Volcanic Eruptions with other national universities, Japan Meteorological Agency and national research institutions. In 1977, the Mobile Observation Party for Volcanic Activities was attached. Since 1979, the center built up regional volcanic observation network around volcanoes of Iwate, Akita-Komagatake, Akita-Yakeyama, Chokai, Zao, Azuma, Adatara and Bandai. The center has been contributing to the prediction research of volcanic eruption based on observed data at those observatories.

 To promote prediction research of earthquake and volcanic eruption more effectively, the Observation Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions was established in 1987 by combining and reorganizing Observation Center for Earthquake Prediction and Aobayama Seismological Observatory. In 1989, Nihonkai Observatory for Earthquakes and Volcanoes was established by combining and reorganizing Akita Geophysical Observatory and Honjo Seismological Observatory. In 1991, Sanriku Observatory for Earthquakes and Volcanoes was established by combining and reorganizing Sanriku Geophysical Observatory and Kitakami Seismological Observatory.

 Progress in telecommunication technology improved acquisition system and transferring system for observed data. Adopting this leading-edge technology, in 1997, with the aim of enhancing the research environment, Observation Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Nihonkai Observatory for Earthquakes and Volcanoes, and Sanriku Observatory for Earthquakes and Volcanoes were combined and reorganized to form the Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Faculty of Science (later attached to Graduate School of Science).

 As mentioned before, the center was established based on National Project for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions proposed by the Geodetic Council (now the Council for Science and Technology). It consists of three laboratories; the Crust Physics Laboratory related to earthquake prediction, the Physical Volcanology Laboratory related to the prediction of volcanic eruptions, and the Marine Geophysics Laboratory to study the plate dynamics in subduction zones. More than 60 observation stations operated by the center are distributed widely in Tohoku district to provide us with invaluable data not only for prediction studies but also for fundamental studies in geophysics. The center is thus the leading center for solid earth physics in northeastern Japan, and also contributes to the education of students in earth science.

Chronology

Year History
1912 Mukaiyama Observatory completed. (Saekiyama, Mukaiyama region now in Sendai)
1931 Mukaiyama Observatory moved to Yagiyama in Sendai City.
1952 Name changed to the Seismological Observatory, Faculty of Science.
1964 The first 5-year program for earthquake prediction was proposed by the Geodetic Council.
1965 Akita Geophysical Observatory established.
1966 Honjo Seismological Observatory established.
Mobile Observation Party for Ultramicroearthquakes was established.
1967 The Seismological Observatory was relocated to Aobayama and renamed Aobayama Seismological Observatory.
Sanriku Geophysical Observatory was established.
1969 Kitakami Seismological Observatory was established.
1973 The first 5-year plan of the National Project for the Prediction of Volcanic Eruptions was proposed by the Geodetic Council.
1974 Observation Center for Earthquake Prediction was established.
1977 Mobile Observation Party for Volcanic Activities was established.
Mobile Observation Party for Crustal Activity was established.
1987 Observation Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions was established by the integration of Observation Center for Earthquake Prediction and Aobayama Seismological Observatory.
1989 Nihonkai Observatory for Earthquakes and Volcanoes was established by the integration of Akita Geophysical Observatory and Honjo Seismological Observatory.
1991 Sanriku Observatory for Earthquakes and Volcanoes was established by the integration of Sanriku Geophysical Observatory and Kitakami Seismological Observatory.
1997 Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions was established by the integration of Observation Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Nihonkai Observatory for Earthquakes and Volcanoes, and Sanriku Observatory for Earthquakes and Volcanoes.
1998 The center shifted to the Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions, Graduate School of Science.
2012 Research Center for Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions marked the 100th anniversary of its opening.
2015 Seismic and Crustal Movement Observation Network of Tohoku University marked the 50th anniversary of its establishment.

History of PCPEVE

Mukaiyama Observatory [1912-1931]

Mukaiyama Observatory at Yagiyama [1931〜1967]

Aobayama Seismological Observatory [Oct. 1967]

Observation Center for Prediction of Earthquakes [Jul. 1986]

1970’s photography