LAB LOGA page on LabLog, a review site (not the lab's official page)
Exploration Geophysics Lab
Machine-translated · View original
The lab studies geophysical exploration, which visualizes the subsurface using physical methods.
AboutAbout the lab
Visualizing the invisible subsurface with physical methods.
The Exploration Geophysics Lab studies "geophysical exploration," which uses seismic waves, electromagnetic fields, magnetism, gravity, and other means to visualize (image) the invisible subsurface.
It is a technology for investigating the subsurface, much as ultrasound and X-rays are used in medicine to visualize the inside of the body.
The technology was originally used to explore for oil, geothermal energy, and mineral resources, and is now also used in ground investigation, protection of the subsurface environment, and disaster prevention and mitigation.
The lab carries out research and development of these technologies for mountains, plains, coastal waters, the seafloor, and even the Moon.
Key terms
- Geophysical exploration
- A technology that uses physical phenomena such as seismic waves, electromagnetic fields, magnetism, and gravity to investigate the invisible subsurface
- Electromagnetic survey
- An exploration method that uses electromagnetic fields to investigate the subsurface
- Microtremor survey
- A method that uses naturally occurring microtremors, which people cannot feel, to probe subsurface structure
NewsLab news
View More ↗ResearchResearch themes
To contribute to the various social problems facing humanity, the Exploration Geophysics Lab develops geophysical exploration technologies and conducts applied research in a wide range of fields. The research falls into two parts: method development, such as drone-based surveys and analysis techniques using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), and applications to geothermal resources, disaster prevention, environmental conservation, and lunar exploration.
*Illustrative imageDrone-based survey methods
The lab works on survey methods using lightweight electromagnetic survey instruments that can be mounted on commercial drones. With an instrument reported in 2022 by Professor Mitsuhata and colleagues, before he joined the lab, buried vehicles were successfully detected and the subsurface resistivity structure was mapped. It is expected to be applied to initial response in earthquake and landslide disasters.
*Illustrative imageGround investigation for disaster prevention using microtremors
The lab studies microtremor survey technology, which uses naturally occurring microtremors that people cannot feel to probe subsurface structure anywhere. To assess ground shaking during earthquakes and slope stability, it works on imaging near-surface structure and monitoring changes in it.
*Illustrative imageExploring the shallow subsurface of the Moon
Toward resource utilization on the Moon, the lab is examining methods to image the distribution of seismic wave velocity in the surface layer and to monitor its changes. It also works on evaluating elastic properties under lunar environmental conditions and analyzing seismic data from the Apollo program.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Exploration Geophysics Lab consist of faculty, doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students, research students, and special research students.As of 2025
- ProfessorYuji Mitsuhata
- Associate ProfessorTatsunori Ikeda
- Assistant ProfessorToshiaki Tanaka
VoicesStudent voices
Ratings and reviews reflect the experiences of individual current or former students, not the lab's official views. Whether a lab has reviews, or how many, says nothing about the lab itself.
Students who take part in an interview may receive a thank-you gift worth ¥1,000, regardless of what they say.
Student ratings (0 students)
--
--
--
--
--
--
Student voices answer questions like these
- What's great about this lab?
- What did you learn after joining?
- What's the vibe, and what is the professor like?
- Who is this lab for?
- Where do graduates go?
Your experience can help younger students choose their lab. Your name won't be shown.
Write a lab reviewAnonymous · Your draft is saved if you stopRelatedLabs similar to Exploration Geophysics Lab
Earth Thermal Systems LabFaculty of Engineering, Department of Earth Resources EngineeringGeothermal energy, an environmentally friendly, purely domes…
Energy Resources Engineering LabFaculty of Engineering, Department of Earth Resources EngineeringEnergy resources engineering covering exploration and sustai…
Rock Mass Engineering and Mining Machinery Systems LabFaculty of Engineering, Department of Earth Resources EngineeringThe Rock Mechanics and Mining Machinery Engineering Laborato…
Resource Development Engineering LabFaculty of Engineering, Department of Earth Resources EngineeringResource development engineering: optimal production systems…The information on this page is compiled by the LabLog team from the lab's public information and interviews. For corrections or removal requests, please contact LabLog, not the lab.
Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Alessio-gusmeroli-uaf-conducts-geophysical-survey-of-patterned-ground-on-the-north-slope-of-alaska o ( )” Oak Ridge National Laboratory / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Drone-based survey methods: “Innsbruck-Alto drones-02ASD” Asurnipal / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Ground investigation for disaster prevention using microtremors: “"Сейсмограф" Seismometer in Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology” Lesless / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Exploring the shallow subsurface of the Moon: “Apollo 15 Lunar Rover final resting place” NASA/Dave Scott / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (地球熱システム学研究室): “Krafla power plant - Kröflustöð” Villy Fink Isaksen / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (エネルギー資源工学研究室): “MARUM Schwarzer Raucher” MARUM − Zentrum für Marine Umweltwissenschaften, Universität Bremen / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (岩盤・開発機械システム工学研究室): “Boron mine pit” Marcin Wichary / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (資源開発工学研究室): “Pumpjacks Inglewood Oil Field seen from Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook” Jengod / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
About LabLog
LabLog is a lab review app for students only. Student members at each university interview students in labs and publish what they say. Student voices can only be read by students who sign up with a university email address. Operated by bestiee Inc.
Learn more about LabLog ↗Search engines and AI may reference the basic lab info and rating summaries on this page and the description of LabLog. Student voices are for student members only. Automated collection by programs (scraping, or input to or training of AI) is prohibited under Article 8 of the Terms of Service. If you need data for research or analysis, please contact us.