United Nations Oki Islands Educational, Scientific and UNESCO Enjoy the Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark ! Cultural Organization Global Geopark In the Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark you can experience firsthand the connections between the earth, living things and the way of life of the people. The residents of these islands are at the center of activities relating to regional revitalization and recognizing the value of the region’s special resources. Oki Islands Geopark Activities Regional Products UNESCO Global Geopark The Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark features “Unique Ecosystems”, and “Lifestyles and Traditions” which are deeply connected to the “Geohistory” of the land. AND TRADITIONS Gorē-furyū Festival This land was once part of the Eurasian Continent. It later sank to the bottom of a lake, and then the bottom of a sea. Finally, volcanic activity formed islands which became connected to the mainland of Japan during numerous glacial ages throughout history. The landscape Sea Kayaking Obsidian Tool Crafting Rock Oyster Snow Crab continues to be transformed by erosion propelled by strong seasonal winds from the north-west. The geology of the islands, including the You can take part in sea kayaking adventures, obsidian craft This region is well-known for its abundant fresh seafood, volcanic glass obsidian, has not only given birth to unique culture and history, but also unique plants and animals which have developed in workshops, geo-tours and many more fun activities. including delicacies such as rock oyster, snow crab and white Ushi-tsuki Shāra-bune squid. LIFESTYLE isolation from mainland Japan. (Bull Sumō) (Spirit Boat) Local Guides Education Research Facilities Fieldwork with Geo-tour Guides Elementary School Students Oki Gneiss Oki Nature Museum We are training local people We are working hard to Research groups and universities Information about the geopark to be geo-tour guides. They ensure children here are are conducting research in Oki, is on display at local museums and information centers, so that will share their stories about proud of their home and can helping us to discover even more Chichi-sugi Japanese Cedar wonders of the Oki Islands. visitors and locals can learn this special place with you. tell others about Oki. about the Oki Islands. Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark Area The geopark encompasses the Oki Islands, as designated by the yellow boundary line below. This area consists of four inhabited islands and around 180 uninhabited islands located in the Sea of Access Japan, 40-80km north of Shimane Prefecture (south-west of mainland Honshu). As isolated islands, marine life and the fisheries industry is of central importance to the way of life of the people. In consideration of UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM Oki Salamander Oki Rhododendron this, aside from land area, the geopark also includes 1km of sea area from the coastline. The total geopark area is 673.5km² (land area 346.0km², marine area 327.5km²). Dōgo Dōgo (Okinoshima Town) Dōzen Nishinoshima (Nishinoshima Town) Boundary Kuniga Coast Nakanoshima Chiburijima (Ama Town) (Chibu Village) Y Inner Sea of the Dōzen Caldera R O T What is a UNESCO Global Geopark? Information: Oki Islands Global Geopark Promotion Committee UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas that contain geological heritage 24 Shioguchi, Okinoshima-chō, Oki-gun, Shimane-ken 685-8601, JAPAN. of international significance. The Geoparks initiative aims to protect as TEL: (+81) 8512-3-1321 FAX: (+81) 8512-3-1322 well as spread awareness about this precious geology by utilizing it for E-MAIL: [email protected] education and geotourism. By doing so, we hope that future genera- http://www.oki-geopark.jp tions can enjoy the heritage of the land, including the nature and Printed 2016.1 GEOHIS Rōsoku-jima (Candle Island) Sekiheki (Red Cliff) lifestyles which have developed upon it, for many years to come. Stage One Stage Two Stage Three Stage Four Continental Period Sea of Japan Formation Period Volcanic Islands Period Peninsula to Isolated Islands Period Until 26 Million Years Ago 26 Million – 10 Million Years Ago 10 Million – 70,000 Years Ago 70,000 Years Ago – Current Landforms created by erosion and Oki as part of the Eurasian Continent Oki at the bottom of a lake Oki at the bottom of the sea Creation of the Oki Islands Repeated Volcanic Activity The Japanese Archipelago, including Oki, was As the Japanese Archipelago slowly began to The land moved further from the continent, Large-scale volcanic activity occurred, and the Oki Islands The Oki Islands were formed through repeated deposition once part of the Eurasian Continent. separate from the continental landmass, large and the Japanese archipelago was created. were thrust from the seabed to form the Oki Archipelago. volcanic eruptions and collapses. The present shape of the Oki Islands is a lakes were formed. The land of Oki was at the result of changing sea levels and erosion. Planet Earth bottom of one such lake. 255 million years ago Tokage-iwa Kannon-iwa Oki 20,000 years ago Oki Today Oki 50 million years ago (Pangea Supercontinent) Oki 23 million years ago Fossil of the backbone Oki 12 million years ago Oki 5.5 million years ago (Lizard Rock) (Buddhist Deity Rock) Oki 500,000 years ago Mantle Xenoliths of a crocodile found in “Message from Planet rock strata created 20 Earth” million years ago. Oki Fossil of a scallop found in 12 million year-old rock strata Maenosu Intertidal Platform, Yui Oki Gneiss is one of the Oki was connected to the Shimane Peninsula during the oldest types of rocks in glacial age 20,000 years ago, so animals such as the Japan at 250 million years Tsutenkyo Arch Fukuura Tunnel Akiya Coast Naumann Elephant could move back and forth between old. (Bridge to Heaven) Illustration of Oki the islands and mainland Japan. GEOHISTORY Origin of the Oki Islands Unique Ecosystem Created by Geohistory Endemic Species Marine Biodiversity Mixed Vegetation and the Distribution of Alpine Plants in O-iwa-kagami Refugium for Vegetation During the Last Glacial Age (Shizocodon) Oki became a group of isolated islands around 10,000 years The geopark encompasses marine area of 1km from the Lowlands Areas ago. The islands are an important place for discovering how shore of the islands. This sea area is home to marine life During the last glacial period (around 20,000 years ago) Oki was Following the last glacial period, post-glacial warming caused certain species evolved during a short time span. The Oki from southern Japan, such as Nihon-awa-sango (Japanese connected to the mainland of Japan. At the time, the tempera- the sea level to rise and the Oki Islands became isolated again. Salamander, which was listed by the Alliance of Zero Extinction Awa coral) and soft coral. In recent years, giant starfish have ture around Oki was comparatively warmer, so many plants and Various species that were left isolated on the islands adapted to Subalpine in 2005, is one such species in which the evolutionary process also been found. animals were able to survive there. When post-glacial warming the low-altitude environment. As a result, today we can observe Hamanasu began again 10,000 years ago, these plants and animals spread a wide variety of plants in the same environment, such as plants (Sweet Briar) can be identified. 1. Kuroki-zuta back to the mainland of Japan again. from subalpine areas, as well as warm temperate and Seaweed 2. Sea Firefly 3. 1m Starfish 4. Red Squid 2. Oki 3. Yamane continental plant species. 1. Oki Dandelion Rhododendron (Japanese dormouse) 4. Oki Salamander 20,000 years ago – Last Glacial Period Comparison of the distribution of O-iwa-kagami Cool Temperate Oki Mainland of on Mt.Daisen and the Oki Islands. Warm Plants and animals Japan Nago-ran escaped to Oki (Height 1729m) (Orchid) Cold Subalpine 1. This species of seaweed was discovered in front of the Kuroki Sea Level 1. A species of Japanese dandelion that has evolved uniquely in Oki. Imperial Residence Site on Nishinoshima Island. It is the only Post-glacial Warming Montane Warm Temperate 2. This flower grows on relatively high mountains around Oki. species of seaweed to be listed as a National Natural Treasure. Oki Plants and animals spread Mainland of Japan (Height 607m) 3. A species possibly endemic to Oki. 2. A type of zooplankton which emits light. There is a wide array of Warm back to the mainland Daruma-giku Warm bioluminescent organisms in the Oki Islands. Around 20,000 Around 10,000 low lands (Aster) 4. This salamander has evolved uniquely in Oki to adapt to rivers with 3. In recent years giant meter-long starfish have been found around Years Ago Oki Islands strong currents. Years Ago Sea Level Sea of Japan Mt. Daisen Last Glacial Period (After Post-glacial Warming) the Oki Islands. 4. During autumn and winter months, meter-long squid can be Oki became connected to mainland Japan due to the decline Oki became isolated due to the rise in sea Endemic Species: Species native to, or only found in a particular area. Continental caught along the coast. UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM Biodiversity in sea level. level caused by post-glacial warming. Geography and History Geography, Topography and Culture Landscape and Ways of Life History of Remote Islands in the Sea of Japan Cultural Diversity Preserved on Isolated Islands Challenges of Land and Lifestyle Geography Due to their geographical location, the Oki Islands have been an important Topography Due to the mountainous terrain on the islands, travel between settlements port of call for ships trading around Japan, and en route to Asia since ancient was very difficult and communities were historically quite isolated from Fukūra Tunnels The Oki Islands are a group times.