Geomark Site <Hyogo Prefecture> [Famous Japanese Stones]

Geomaeksite

Geomark Site

This stone was formed when magma cooled during volcanic activity 160 years ago.
The Genbudo cave where it is produced is not natural, but an artificial cave created during mining.
Genbudo Cave, a natural monument, was also certified as a Global Geopark in 2010.
They are named after the four gods and together with Byakko Cave, Seiryu Cave, Minami Suzaku Cave and Kita Suzaku Cave, they are called "Genbudo Park."
The magnetism of the basalt in Genbudo Cave is evidence of the reversal of the Earth's magnetic field, and it is said to be a stone that records the history of the Earth.

This stone was made of magma that was cooled in the wake of volcanic activities 160 years ago. It`s made by the cave called Genbu, a man-made cave that served as the entrance to mining operations. The cave is recognized as a natural monument and was listed in 2010 as World Geopark. The site has four caves: Byakkodo, Seiryudo, Minami-Suzakudo and KitaSukazuko. The four are named after four Gods that rule over the directions on Chinese Mythology.
Scientist say magnetic power from basalt in Genbudo worked as the proof of the reversal of the global magnetic filed. Therefore, it is perceived as the stone that records the history of the Earth.