Leading scientist

Professor Shigenori Maruyama is a world known and best cited expert in geology and tectonics of Japan and other Pacific-type accretionary orogens, igneous and metamorphic petrology, subduction zone petrology and dynamics, global and regional tectonics of Eurasia, and Earth system evolution (H-factor = 56). He is the author of the Model of Mantle Superplumes generated at the core-mantle boundary, the catastrophic dynamics of the Earth system, assuming 2 superplumes on the CMB and one super-downwelling under Asia, and the author of a new concept of Plume Tectonics, which joined seismic tomography, mantle petrology and world geology. One of the most significant outcomes provided by Prof. Maruyama is the summary of orogeny, orogenesis and orogenic belts of the World as represented by Pacific-type orogeny and accretionary complex geology including ocean plate stratigraphy (OPS). He has been performing regioal and global geological reconstructions including synthesis of the tectonic history of Eurasia, a supercontinent that was completed by the amalgamation of 7 major continents during 300-200 Ma. One prime example of the compilation of works is the changing P-T conditions along the subduction zone through time. Prof. Maruyama is an author of a new concept for the origin of life, Habitable Trinity, which explains the importance of nutrients supplied from rocks to carry life in addition to the presence of water and atmosphere. Prof. Maruyama has supervised over 50 masters and 27 PhD theses, led many large research projects, awardee of many national and international prizes including Medal with Purple Ribbon, one of the most prestigious awards for Science and Art in Japan.