Sustainably using the earthʼs energy

My research goal involves realizing a society where geothermal resources, a gift from the Earth, can be sustainably developed while reducing the risks of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. To achieve this, it is crucial to understand how subsurface rocks and the pore water exist. Tackling this invisible problem, I am working on digital twins of the pore microstructures of real rocks to study how water flows underground. I am also developing physical models for estimating underground water flow from surface observable data (seismic velocity and electrical properties), through laboratory experiments under crustal stress conditions. Based on these fundamental findings, I hope to deepen our understanding of the planet we live on.

URL

http://www.vgs.kyoto-u.ac.jp/idi/sawayama/en/
https://research.kyoto-u.ac.jp/documentary/d056/ (in Japanese)