Aquamarine Fukushima

Aquamarine Fukushima (アクアマリンふくしま, Akuamarin Fukushima) (officially Marine Science Museum, Fukushima Prefecture (ふくしま海洋科学館, Fukushima Kaiyō Kagakukan)) is an aquarium located in Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan.

Aquamarine Fukushima
Date opened15 July 2000[1]
LocationIwaki, Fukushima, Japan
Coordinates36°56′33.9″N 140°54′05.4″E
Floor space13,714 m2 (147,620 sq ft)
Volume of largest tank2,050 m3 (540,000 US gal)[2]
Total volume of tanks3,990 m3 (1,050,000 US gal)[3]
MembershipsJAZA[4]
WebsiteOfficial website

History

The aquarium opened on 15 July 2000. The nickname "Aquamarine Fukushima" was selected in 1998 from a total of 4,722 applications.[5]

The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011 resulted in power being cut off to the aquarium. Many fish died, but some marine mammals and sea birds were subsequently transferred to Kamogawa Sea World, 250 kilometers (155 mi) to the south, Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Tokyo Sea Life Park, Izu Mito Sea Paradise, and New Enoshima Aquarium. Although the main building sustained only minor damage, outside pools were washed away,[6] and there was major damage to the electrical system (causing the death of about 90% of the animals in the aquarium).[7] The facility was closed after the tsunami, and reopened to the public on 15 July 2011, following restoration.[7][8]

Exhibits

The aquarium highlights the sea life in the Shiome Sea, where rivers flow into the sea and meet the collision of the Kuroshio and Oyashio ocean currents.[3] The centerpiece tank, "The Shiome Sea", holds 2,050 cubic meters (540,000 U.S. gal) and contains a triangular tunnel that separates two tanks with different water temperatures (the two currents).[1][2]

The aquarium includes a botanical garden on the fourth floor that shows the plant life of Fukushima, and from which visitors can see the top of the main tank.[1]

References
  1. "Aquamarine Fukushima". pref.fukushima.jp. Fukushima Prefectural Government. 15 July 2011. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  2. "Aquamarine Fukushima". city.iwaki.fukushima.jp. City of Fukushima. Archived from the original on 19 August 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  3. "About Us". marine.fks.ed.jp. Aquamarine Fukushima. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  4. "Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums". jazga.or.jp. JAZA. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  5. Decision on nickname "Aquamarine Fukushima" Archived 2007-11-02 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Garratt, Patrick (1 April 2011). "Japan earthquake: Fukushima Aquarium damage". aquarium.co.za. Two Oceans Aquarium. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  7. "Aquarium brings hope to people" (PDF). Highlighting Japan. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  8. "Aquamarine Fukushima reopens". kyodonews.jp. Kyodo News. 15 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
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