(Feb. 14-17, 2026)
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| This year's Shiraishi Lab field trip aimed to observe accretionary complexes and carbonate rocks in Okinawa. First, we observed calcareous sponges at Johnman Beach, but the number was quite small. Afterwards, we observed tufa at Giza Banda Falls. | |
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| We also observed the Chinen Formation, which is located nearby. We then moved on to observe the Minatogawa ruins and the Awa-ishi of the Minatogawa Formation. | |
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| Lunch was Okinawa's specialty tempura, followed by an observation of the cave deposits at Gyokusendo Cave. | |
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| At Yona Beach, we observed greenstone and mudstone of the Nago Formation, which correlates with the Shimanto Belt. Further north at Cape Hedo, we observed an unconformity between the limestone of the Motobu Formation and the Ryukyu Group. We also explored the Hedo Tectonic Line. | |
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| At Bisezaki, we observed the Ie Unit, which is compared to the Togano Unit in Shikoku. It is interesting to see the alternation of chert and limestone. We also observed modern organisms with calcareous skeletons. | |
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| We observed ammonites in the Nakijin Formation exposed in Ocean Expo Memorial Park. On the third day we had a BBQ at the inn. | |
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| On the final day, we observed the folds of the Kayo Formation, which is compared to the Shimanto Belt, and the beach rock formed in the marine vadose zone, concluding this year's excursion. | |
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