Muroto designated as UNESCO Geopark

Muroto City in Kochi Prefecture, western Japan, has become the 5th site in the country to be designated as an international geological heritage area, or Geopark. UNESCO's Global Network of National Geoparks recognizes sites whose geology or landscape would help people understand the Earth's evolution and bring educational and economic benefits to the local community. The entire city of Muroto on the island of Shikoku was added to the list of global Geoparks at the international organization's meeting in Norway on Saturday. Mayor Kenji Komatsu and other delegates attending the meeting reported the news on the Internet to the city office, where about 160 residents and municipal officials were waiting. They greeted the city's certification with applause and cheers. The area has traces of crustal movements dating back about 100 million years, allowing people to observe the former seabed elevated in past earthquakes. Four sites previously listed as Geoparks include an area of Hokkaido's Lake Toya and nearly Mount Usu in northern Japan.