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In order to understand the mutual interaction between various structures and elements of the Earth system, we are conducting basic study for the development of geophysical data-base as well as for the integrated numerical modeling. We operate　geophysical　observation network　in　Western　Pacific　region　and　create　integrated database for these data obtained from terrestrial network and ocean bottom network. This research program also develops the new algorithm for the Earth system simulation, which is able to capture the multi-scale interaction underlying the geo-physical and geo-chemical dynamics.

We develop integrated database, which should be utilized among different disciplines of Earth sciences, from state of the art geophysical observation network in Western Pacific region. We also develop data analysis and numerical techniques using the information technology, which should be applied to observational data.

Hierarchical System Research Team is a research group to study the mutual interaction between micro-scale and macro-scale in the Earth system in terms of the advanced numerical simulation. We conduct a basic study to develop the state-of-art algorithm, which is able to interconnect the micro-scale model and the macro-scale model. We also study about the integrated modeling of the earth system as an application of the Macro-Micro Interlocked simulation. In particular, we have developed a novel, particle based, simulation model of cloud microphysics named the Super-Droplet Method (SDM), which enables accurate simulation of cloud microphysics. The new model could be useful for weather forecasts, the optimization of artificial rain, and improving the scientific understanding of climate change.

It is an important research subject to quantitatively evaluate the properties and the production rate of atmospheric aerosols because atmospheric aerosols, which act as cloud condensation nuclei and heterogeneous reaction field, significantly affect the earth's environment. However, we cannot still directly observe physicochemical processes associated with the nucleation of atmospheric aerosols occurring at the nanometer scale. The geochemical dynamics research team is trying to quantitatively understand the nucleation process of aerosols using electronic structure calculations and classical molecular dynamics simulations.

Nucleation process of sulfuric acid aerosols.

Homogeneous vapor-liquid nucleation of water.

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