I joined the Urawaka Elementary School 6^th Graders for a geological field trip. We visited two geological formations shaped by water's power and one formed by volcanic activity. Urakawa Town has well-defined alternating beds of sandstone and mudstone and outcroppings perfect for educational observation.

We even found a fossil. The students were impressed when they learned that Urakawa is famous for ammonite fossils. After that, we went to see the volcanic rock outcrops.

The students were excited and had many questions and observed the area until the very last minute! "What's that rock? Is that a fossil? How is this strata that was formed in the ocean right here?"

They also left with a sense of autumn ending and winter beginning.

The red Japanese bush cranberries (gamazumi) really stand out.

Oubayuri seeds (also known as Monkey Money)

Kiboushi (?) seeds

By the way, when I visited the site the day before, the stones were stuck to the ground, there was enough wind for me to put on my woolly hat, and it was very cold, but I was surprised to find needle ice forming in the middle of the river! Needle ice forms when the moisture in the soil freezes.

Needle Ice

Inoceramus fossil and needle ice