Scientific Continental Drilling Project in Japan and Scientific Goals

The Japanese Island Arcs locate between the Eurasian continent and the Pacific Ocean, and the crustal structure represents both continental and oceanic characteristics. The Island Arc involves continental crust formed by the accretionary process. The continental crust is separated from the Eurasian Continent by the marginal seas with oceanic crust. Studies of the geologic history of the continental crust suggest that one should consider the continental crusts as being linked to the global tectonic events, but as an isolated event. Naturally, the optimum scientific goal of the proposed continental drilling is to focus on the ultimate understanding of the dynamics of the crust.