■Nathan Shiga: November 14

Did you folks know that the earth’s magnetic fields alternate every so often and that the last time that happened 770 thousand years ago – and that a spot in Chiba witnesses how it happened? On top of that, the place is now spotlighted to be named Chibanian as an international sample spot.

The city of Ishihara, Chiba, has a geological stratum along the river basin of Yorogawa when the earth’s magnetic fields last reversed 770 thousand years ago and the 16-member working group of the International Union of Geological Sciences voted in favor of Ichikawa, Chiba, over two other Italian candidates, Montalbano Jonico and Valle di Manche.

Japan had made application earlier in June through Ibaraki University and the National Institute of Polar Research. The working group is to pass its recommendations to two superior committees and the board of the International Union of Geological Sciences for farther review toward the final decision.

If all should go well, Chiba is going to have a charming title Chibanian to uplift its prestige, as Governor K. Morita puts it. Governor Morita elaborates:

“It’s not yet final, but my people in Chiba are all excited to learn our prefecture is about to have something to promote Chiba with worldwide.”

We promise you a full write-up when all is final about a year later.

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