Elementary students from the Tokachi Shikaoi Geopark came to Samani to observe the inner workings of the Earth while searching for the secrets behind peridotite rock and the fault line where two continental plates once collided. It also happened to be summer vacation.

The one thing that excited them the most was seeing the ocean. The town of Shikaoi in the Tokachi region is removed from the sea, while Samani is right along the Pacific Ocean coastline. The students were able to experience the differences between Shikaoi and Samani, understand the various movements of the earth, and made new discoveries that connect back to their hometown.

A typhoon was approaching, so the wind picked up and the waves were high along the coastline of Fuyushima. The weather was fine, perfect for a summer trip to the sea. Some of the students ran out to get a closer look.

Inside the Visitor Center

After walking around the plate boundary, we headed to Horoman Gorge. When we were along the coast there was a pleasant breeze, but in Horoman Gorge there was no wind and hardly any shade... the students did their best to collect rock samples in spite of the conditions. The students were also able to see kelp being drying in the sun, the Taisho tunnel, butterfly shells, and Ezo deer.

Even though the students were traveling within the same prefecture, it's still 2.5 hours' drive one-way from Shikaoi to Samani. This was only a day trip so the students were getting ready to make the return trip back to Shikaoi. Everyone worked hard throughout the hot weather. I'm sure it was physically challenging, but overall, it was a very enjoyable summer day.