The distribution of liquefied areas in the lower basin of the Tone River caused by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake does not correspond to the results of liquefaction assessments applying conventional geotechnical approaches. Papers in two special issues titled “Liquefaction Phenomena in the Downstream Basin of the Tone River, Eastern Kanto Region from the Viewpoint of Earth Science” clarify that the earth scientific approach focusing into micro-landforms, extremely shallow geology, and land development processes can provide much important information for liquefaction assessments. The results of the survey on the present situation of liquefaction hazard maps published by municipalities reveal many problems in terms of contents and expressions. It is proposed to create an appropriate manual for assessing liquefaction risk and producing liquefaction hazard maps of municipalities.
