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Indigenous knowledge can record scientific observations of specific “places” that may be difficult to preserve in the geological record. Such a place in “place-based” science highlights issues local to a learner with regard to engaging audiences on the scientific problems relevant to their communities. Here, we focus on a popular seafaring repertoire of Indigenous Ryukyuan classical music, called Nubui Kuduchi and Kudai Kuduchi, to examine place-based observations of 18th-century climate and geology in the Ryukyu Islands (21st-century Okinawa Prefecture, Japan). By comparing the environmental conditions recorded in these songs with those of 20th- and 21st-century studies, we find that surface winds, ocean currents, typhoons, and volcanism from lyrics parallel their respective observations in the scientific record. This novel perspective of art and science highlights the relevance of Ryukyuan classical music in teaching contemporary issues such as climate change and natural hazards. Thus, Ryukyuan Indigenous knowledge can play an innovative role in science engagement for 21st-century Okinawans in Okinawa Prefecture and for their diasporic kinsfolk worldwide. 

{"Abstract":["Drone image-derived digital elevation model at sag pond site in "Microcontinent Breakup and Links to Possible Plate Boundary Reorganization in the Northern Gulf of California, México" created with Agisoft Photoscan software. WGS1984 UTM Zone 12N."]} 

{"Abstract":["This is the 3-m resolution digital elevation model from "Microcontinent Breakup and Links to Possible Plate Boundary Reorganization in the Northern Gulf of California, México". Digital elevation was constructed from two 0.5-m resolution Pleiades satellite images (product type: 50cm Panchromatic + 2m (4-Band) Multispectral Bundle) using the NASA Ames Stereo Pipeline software. WGS1984 UTM Zone 12N."]} 

{"Abstract":["Drone image-derived digital elevation model at 'flight of terraces' site in "Microcontinent Breakup and Links to Possible Plate Boundary Reorganization in the Northern Gulf of California, México" created with Agisoft Photoscan software. WGS1984 UTM Zone 12N."]} 

{"Abstract":["Drone image-derived digital elevation model at 'southern terraces' site in "Microcontinent Breakup and Links to Possible Plate Boundary Reorganization in the Northern Gulf of California, México" created with Agisoft Photoscan software. WGS1984 UTM Zone 12N."]} 

{"Abstract":["Drone image-derived digital elevation model at 'incised terrace' site in "Microcontinent Breakup and Links to Possible Plate Boundary Reorganization in the Northern Gulf of California, México" created with Agisoft Photoscan software. WGS1984 UTM Zone 12N."]} 

{"Abstract":["Dosimetry data, equivalent doses, and single grain post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence (p-IR IRSL) ages from "Microcontinent Breakup and Links to Possible Plate Boundary Reorganization in the Northern Gulf of California, México". Also shown in Table S2 of publication's supplementary file."]} 

Abstract Faults on microcontinents record the dynamic evolution of plate boundaries. However, most microcontinents are submarine and difficult to study. Here, we show that the southern part of the Isla Ángel de la Guarda (IAG) microcontinent, in the northern Gulf of California rift, is densely faulted by a late Quaternary‐active normal fault zone. To characterize the onshore kinematics of this Almeja fault zone, we integrated remote fault mapping using high‐resolution satellite‐ and drone‐based topography with neotectonic field‐mapping. We produced 13 luminescence ages from sediment deposits offset or impounded by faults to constrain the timing of fault offsets. We found that north‐striking normal faults in the Almeja fault zone continue offshore to the south and likely into the nascent North Salsipuedes basin southwest of IAG. Late Pleistocene and Holocene luminescence ages indicate that the most recent onshore fault activity occurred in the last ∼50 kyr. These observations suggest that the North Salsipuedes basin is kinematically linked with and continues onshore as the active Almeja fault zone. We suggest that fragmentation of the evolving IAG microcontinent may not yet be complete and that the Pacific‐North America plate boundary is either not fully localized onto the Ballenas transform fault and Lower Delfin pull‐apart basin or is in the initial stage of a plate boundary reorganization.