On Aug 7^th, we hosted a lecture, "Aim for the Mantle! From Peridot to Ultra-Deep Sea Voyages," by Professor Katsuyoshi Michibayashi from Nagoya University, Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Geology, and Geobiology.

The lecture included the following: 1) characteristics of the Horoman peridotite complex and peridotite found in ocean areas, 2) the exploration and research of the ultra-deep sea.

When comparing the Earth's crust and mantle by volume, the mantle is by far more extensive. However, in terms of value, the crust holds greater significance. Its familiarity often makes us overlook its true worth. While the mantle is vast, it is rarely exposed at the surface. One of the few places in the world where the mantle is visible is Samani Town.

Fresh (non-serpentine) peridotite rock has been collected from depths of around 9,000 meters in the Tonga Trench. Professor Michibayashi showed some very colorful photographs of thin sections of the rock samples viewed under a polarizing microscope.

It was announced that next year, from August 25-28, the Horoman Mantle Drilling and Carbon Injection International Workshop will be held in Samani. We also heard about the potential of hydrogen energy in peridotite complexes.

Reference link: https://www.icdp-online.org/projects/by-continent/asia/horoman-dc-japan/

We'd like to express our profound thanks to Professor Michibayashi for an amazing lecture!!