Nobuhiko Harada / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
Bayon, a key temple of Cambodia's Angkor ruins, "is like a dam that is just about to break," geologist Tomochika Tokunaga says.
The intensely weathered temple is on the brink of collapse, according to Tokunaga, an associate professor of geology at Tokyo University. He has been working with the Japanese Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor (JSA) since last year.
Tokunaga specializes in groundwater fluctuations and has researched the Sahara Desert and various other locations worldwide. He has used cutting-edge geologic technology on the Angkor project. One such device, a type of ground-penetrating radar, is being used to "see through" the temple.
Last spring, Tokunaga, 41, was assisted by the JSA while conducting research on the water in a lake near Angkor. The government team subsequently asked him to lend his expertise for the restoration project.
According to Tokunaga, his Ehime Prefecture roots and his ability to assist the Angkor project made him feel that it was his duty to accept the request.
Last year, he found that the stone inside the Bayon temple was more brittle than he had expected. He also concluded penetrating water would further erode the temple.
Tokunaga was surprised to discover that geology could help preserve relics.
Tokunaga returns to Cambodia next month. Although the project requires working under the hot sun, Tokunaga is looking forward to seeing the inquisitive local Cambodians again.
(Jul. 16, 2008)
Bayon, a key temple of Cambodia's Angkor ruins, "is like a dam that is just about to break," geologist Tomochika Tokunaga says.
The intensely weathered temple is on the brink of collapse, according to Tokunaga, an associate professor of geology at Tokyo University. He has been working with the Japanese Government Team for Safeguarding Angkor (JSA) since last year.
Tokunaga specializes in groundwater fluctuations and has researched the Sahara Desert and various other locations worldwide. He has used cutting-edge geologic technology on the Angkor project. One such device, a type of ground-penetrating radar, is being used to "see through" the temple.
Last spring, Tokunaga, 41, was assisted by the JSA while conducting research on the water in a lake near Angkor. The government team subsequently asked him to lend his expertise for the restoration project.
According to Tokunaga, his Ehime Prefecture roots and his ability to assist the Angkor project made him feel that it was his duty to accept the request.
Last year, he found that the stone inside the Bayon temple was more brittle than he had expected. He also concluded penetrating water would further erode the temple.
Tokunaga was surprised to discover that geology could help preserve relics.
Tokunaga returns to Cambodia next month. Although the project requires working under the hot sun, Tokunaga is looking forward to seeing the inquisitive local Cambodians again.
(Jul. 16, 2008)
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