Geographical Review of JapanVol. 69 (Ser. B), No. 2, 134-143, 1996

Recent Studies on the Late Quaternary Landform Evolution

of Riverine Coastal Plains in Japan

Masatomo UMITSU

Department of Geography, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-01, Japan

Abstract: Recent studies on the evolution of Japanese riverine coastal plains and sea-level

changes in the late Quaternary are reviewed. Studies on the landforms and sediments of the

plains have been done in many riverine coastal plains using various research techniques.

Landforms and sediments of the riverine coastal plains have changed remarkably since the last

glacial maximum. Several studies have clarified the paleogeography of the plains, and also

pointed out that the landform evolution of the plains has been influenced by minor fluctuations

of sea-level changes in the late Holocene.

Key words: late Quaternary, Holocene, landform evolution, riverine coastal plain, sea-level

change

Introduction

There are a number of small coastal plains both on the Pacific and Sea of Japan coasts of the Japanese, islands; they develop not only along sandy coasts but also in the regions of lower reaches of rivers. These coastal plains are termed riverine coastal plains in this paper.

According to Thom (1982) and Woodroffe

(1990), these plains can be classified into riverdominated and wave-dominated coastal plains fr om the viewpoint of their formative settings. There are few tide-dominated coastal plains in

Japan. Stratigraphic studies of the sediments of the coastal plains indicate that there have been considerable changes in landforms since the last glacial maximum. These changes have resulted from postglacial sea-level changes.

Many studies have been carried out on both sea-level changes and landform evolution of the riverine coastal plains in Japan. Studies on sediments and landforms of Japanese coastal

plains are mainly conducted by physical geographers and Quaternary geologists. The stratigraphy and chronology of Holocene sediments of riverine coastal plains allow reconstruction of the ways in which landforms have responded to sea-level changes in the past.

Several review papers on the late Quaternary evolution of Japanese riverine coastal plains and sea-level changes have already been writ

ten by Ota et al. (1982, 1990), Yonekura and Ota

(1986), Ota and Machida (1987), Iseki (1988), Oya et al. (1988), Umitsu (1991), and so on. The aim of this paper is to review papers on the subject which have been published mainly in the last decade.

Characteristics and Environmental Set

tings of Japanese Riverine Coastal Plains

Most Japanese plains are depositional plains that consist of Pleistocene uplands and Holocene alluvial lowlands. Pleistocene uplands occupy large areas in the Kanto, Mikawa, and Tokachi plains etc., and Holocene alluvial lowlands occupy a large area in the Ishikari, Niigata, and Nobi plains, etc. Most Pleistocene uplands in Japan were formed as marine or

fl uvial terraces during the last interglacial and last glacial periods.

Kubo (1990) examined in detail the landforms of the Kanto plain, where the Tokyo metro

politan area is located. She reviewed studies on the evolution of the Pleistocene uplands and upland-dissected valleys in the plain, and also

presented the evolution of the Tokyo Lowland in prehistoric and historic times.

Sediments of the present riverine coastal

plains have been deposited in, and over, valleys formed by the last glacial maximum under low sea-level conditions. Deposition and landform evolution of the riverine coastal plains com

Late Quaternary Evolution of Coastal Plains 135

menced with the postglacial sea-level rise.Typical Japanese riverine plains consist of

alluvial fans, floodplains, and deltas from the inner to coastal regions in that order (Oya et al. 1988). However, considerable variation in landform is observed between the individual riverme coastal plains. There are plains without deltas, plains with broad flood plains, and plains in which alluvial fans occupy the entire plain. Large dunes or sandy barriers also develop along the shoreline of the Tsugaru, Akita, Shonai, and Niigata plains which located along the coast of the Sea of Japan. Rows of beach ridges are typically recognized in the Kuju-kuri

plain, eastern Japan. Similar rows of beach ridges are also recognized in the Ishikari, Yufutsu, and Sendai plains in north and northeastern Japan. In general, relatively large

plains develop in regions where the land tended to subside during the late Quaternary.

A special issue of the Geographical Review of

Japan on "Fluvial and Coastal Plains in Japan" was published in 1989. Several papers on the

fl uvial plains (Oya and Kim 1989, Nakayama and Toyoshima 1989), coastal landforms

(Fukumoto 1989), coastal sand dunes (Naruse 1989), maritime coastal lakes (Hirai 1989) and barriers in the coastal lowlands (Matsubara 1989) were included in that issue.

Holocene Sea-level Changes in Japan

As a detailed review of studies of sea-level

changes in Japan has already been written by

Umitsu (1991), only a brief reference to several

recent studies is made here. There are many

opinions about the lowest sea-level during the

last glacial maximum: -80m (Oshima 1982,

1990); -95•}3m (Saito et al. 1989) ; -100m

(Fujii 1990); -127•}30m (Oba 1988); -140m

(Iseki 1977) and so on. Many studies, however,

regard the level around -100m as the sea-level

at that time (Ota and Omura 1991, etc.).

The extensions of paleo-river valleys formed

during the last glacial maximum have been

recognized in various places such as Tokyo and

Osaka bays and the continental shelves around

the Japanese islands. The buried paleochannel

under the bottoms of Tokyo and Osaka bays

are called the paleo-Tokyo River and paleo

Osaka River, respectively. The age of the basal

gravel bed of the paleo-river channel in the Sakuragawa lowland, northeast of Tokyo, is estimated at 2.4-2.2ka (Suzuki et al. 1993). This age is slightly older than those given in

previous studies.Sea-level changes during the late glacial

period are still poorly understood. Sediments of the period in buried, channels of riverine coastal lowlands are sandy and have a relatively high N-value (indicator of the hardness of sediments). Sea levels of the early Holocene reported in various sites are around -30 to -50m (Ota et al . 1982, 1990).

In the Kanto plain, an unconformity and the deposition of a conspicuous sandy bed are recognized between the contact of the Pleistocene and Holocene sediments in the riverine coastal plains. These sandy sediments were called the Holocene basal gravel bed (HBG) by Endo et al. (1982), and they are considered to be sediments that were deposited in the period of Younger Dryas.

A slow rise of sea level in the early Holocene was reported by Matsushima (1987) and Endo et al. (1989) in the Kanto plain, eastern Japan. The period of slow transgression continued until approximately 8,500-8,300yr BP. After that period, the sea level rose rapidly and reached a high stand in the middle Holocene around 7,000-6,000 yr BP. In many places, the sea level during that period is reported to have been 2-3m higher than present level (Ota et al. 1982, 1990). The highest sea level in the Izu Peninsula, which is located on the Philippine Sea Plate, however, was recognized at 2,000 -3 ,000yr BP (Ota et al. 1986, Taguchi 1993). This is considered to be due to the difference in tectonic setting between the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean Plates. Marked uplift is evident on the Boso, Muroto, and other peninsulas along the Pacific Ocean and Japan Sea coasts. The height of middle Holocene marine terraces in these regions was several meters higher than the present sea level (Ota and Machida 1987). In particular, it was more than 20 meters higher in the Boso Peninsula (Frydle 1982).

Minor fluctuations and temporal sea-level falls after the middle Holocene are reported on the Okhotsk coast (Maeda 1984, Sakaguchi et

136 Masatomo Umitsu

al. 1985, Hirai 1987), the Inland Sea coast

(Naruse et al. 1984), the Chita Peninsula (Maeda et al. 1983), etc. In many places, minor sea-level falls are recognized around 4.500 and 3,0002,000yrs BP, and they are called middle Jornon

small regression (Ota et al. 1982) and Yayoi regression (Ariake Bay Research Group 1965), respectively.

Evolution of River-dominated Riverine

Coastal Plains in Japan

Many studies on the sedimentary environments and landform evolution of riverine coastal plains have been done based on the examination of drilling logs and detailed fossil analysis of sediments. Detailed study on the basal topography of the Holocene and latest Pleistocene sediments in the Kanto plain was conducted by Endo et al. (1988). They also discussed the mode of deposition of the sedi

ments including the courses of paleochannels in the plain.

Studies on the landform evolution and sediments of the riverine coastal plains of the Kanto

plain during the Holocene were done by Endo et al. (1982, 1987, 1989), Ando (1986, 1988), Ando et al. (1987, 1990), Matsushima (1987), Kosugi (1989), etc. Most of the studies involved reconstruction of the Holocene depositional environments of the riverine coastal plains, and determining the extent of marine transgression through diatom analysis. These studies clarified more detailed landform evolution and environmental change in comparison to previous studies.

Based on diatom analysis (Kosugi 1985, 1986, 1988), Kosugi (1989) clarified the evolution of the Oku-Tokyo Bay which expanded to the north of the Tokyo lowland during the postglacial transgression (Figure 1). Evolution of the region was classified into three stages: (1) trans

Figure 1. Fossil diatom assemblages in the paleo Oku-Tokyo Bay at 5,500yr BP (Kosugi, 1989).

Late Quaternary Evolution of Coastal Plains 137

gressive stage (10,000-6, 500yr BP); (2) maximum transgression (6,500-5,300yr BP); and (3) regressional stage (5,300yr BP-present). He also presented the Holocene relative sea-level curve and paleogeographical maps of the region at 9,500, 5,500 and 4,500yr BP.

Based on diatom and pollen analyses, Endo et al. (1987, 1989) discussed the landform evolution and vegetational change in a riverine coastal plain, and they pointed out that these

physical environmental changes did not all occur independently of each other, but in part due to mutual interaction.

Further studies on the evolution of landforms and the deposition process of the Holocene sediments in riverine coastal plains with references to the postglacial transgression have been carried out in the Rikuzentakata plain (Chida et al. 1984), Akita plain (Geological Research Group of Akita University on the Nihonkai Chubu Earthquake in 1983 1986), Tama River lowland (Matsushima 1987), Nobi plain (Figure 2, Umitsu 1992), Fukuyama plain (Ono 1988), Izumo plain (Hayashi 1991), Hiroshima plain

(Shiragami 1985), Buzen Yukuhashi plain (Chida 1985), Miyazaki plain (Nagaoka et al. 1986), etc.

In particular, Shiragami (1985) analyzed the

Holocene sediments in the Hiroshima plain

using FeS2 analysis, and pointed out that

Holocene sea-level changes in the region con

sisted not of one cycle with transgression and

regression stages but 2 cycles with a temporary

regression stage between two transgressive

stages. Studies on the marine limit using FeS2

analysis were also carried out by Nakai et al.

(1982), Sadakata et al. (1988), and Sato (1989).

Nakai et al. (1982) discussed the environmental

and sea-level changes in the Nagoya port region

based on analyses of the C/N ratio and ƒÂ13C,

and recognized colder and lower sea-level peri

od and a warmer and higher sea-level period in

the Holocene. Sadakata et al. (1988), and Sato

(1989) also used FeS2 analysis together with

diatom analysis and reconstructed the late

Holocene sea-level records in small riverine

coastal plains.

A study on the depositional sequence of the

Nobi plain was done by Umitsu (1990). He

classified the Holocene sedimentary sequence

into the following stages: slow transgressive

stage (10,000-8,500yr BP); rapid transgressive

stage (8,500-6,500yr BP); aggradational stage

(6,500-5,500yr BP); and progradational stage

(5,500yr BP-present) which includes minor

regressional stages during the periods of 5,000

Figure 2. Idealized Holocene stratigraphy and sedimentary model of the Kiso River delta, central Japan(Umitsu, 1992).

138 Masatomo Umitsu

4,500yr BP and 3,000-2,000yr BP.Studies on small estuarine coastal lowlands

were also done by Ota et al. (1985, 1986), Matsubara et al. (1986), Fujimoto (1990, 1993), and Sawa et al. (1994) based on the analysis of molluscs and/or microfossils. They clarified the sedimentary environments, paleogeogra

phy, and sea-level changes of the region in the middle and late Holocene.

Evolution of Wave-dominated Coastal

Plains in Japan

Most Japanese wave-dominated coastal plains are characterized by rows of beach ridges and sand dunes. Matsumoto (1984, 1985) clarified the evolution and period of formation of rows

of beach ridges in five coastal plains including the Sendai and Ishinomaki plains in northeastern Japan. Tose studies confirmed that the origin of beach ridges found in these coastal

plains are convex parts of the Holocene upper sand which were formed by Holocene sea-level

fl uctuations. Four rows of beach ridges can be seen in these coastal plains, and the similarity in the formative period of each beach ridge range was pointed out. Each row of beach ridges (BR-I, BR-I', BR-II, and BR-III) was formed in the periods of 5,400-4,500 yr BP, 3,300-3,000yr BP, 2,800-1,700yr BP, and 800

yr BP-present, respectively (Matsumoto 1984, 1985).

Rows of beach ridges are also recognized in small riverine coastal plains. Shiragami (1983)

Figure 3. Geomorphological map of the Sarobetsu plain (Ohira, 1995).1. lake 2. mountains, hills and terraces 3. alluvial fan 4. peatland 5, coastal sand dune ridge 6. floodplain (partly lower peatland) 7. natural levee 8. abondoned river channel

Late Quaternary Evolution of Coastal Plains 139

Figure 4. Chronology of Holocene palaeoen vironmental changes in the Sarobe

tsu plain (Ohira, 1995).A: river channel side B: peatland near a river channel C: peatland far from a river channel D: coastal sand dune ridges E: relative sea-level changes in the Sea of Okhotsk F: paleoclimate1. lagoon 2. floodplain 3. peatland 4. coastal barrier 5. sand dune ridges 6. soil 7.

peat 8. shell

examined the number of beach ridges in rela

tion to geological conditions along the western

coast of Honshu Island. He concluded that

three rows of beach ridges are developed in

regions where the geology consists of relatively

soft rocks, coastal terraces are well developed,

and the gradient of paleochannel of the last

glacial maximum is relatively gentle. There are

one or two rows of beach ridges in regions

where the geological conditions differ from

those mentioned above.

Studies on the evolution of coastal plains with conspicuous coastal barriers were carried out in regions along the coast of Suruga Bay

(Matsubara 1984, 1988, 1989), the northeast Niigata plain (Ohira 1992), and the Sarobetsu

plain (Ohira 1995), and others. Matsubara (1989) reconstructed the Holocene landform evolution and sedimentary environment of five lowlands including Ukishimagahara, and the Kano River, Fuji River lowlands based on the

analysis of foraminifera. According to Matsumbara (1984), coastal barriers in this region are classified into primary barrier formed during the Holocene transgression and secondary barrier that developed after the transgression seaward of the primary barrier. Formation of the primary barrier started 8,000yr BP, and the secondary barrier developed and closed a mouth of inland areas in periods 5,000-4,000yr BP and 3,000-2,000yr BP. These two periods of

secondary barrier formation are considered to

coincide with the minor sea-level regression in

the middle and late Holocene, which are also

seen in other coastal plains.

Matsubara (1992) discussed the relationship between human activity and landform evolution of the barriers. She pointed out that the initial stage of human activity coincided with the period when the area around the Megazuka archaeological site changed from a lagoon to a back-swamp due to the construction of coastal barrier II (ca. 4,000yr BP), and that the initial stage of human settlement coincided with the

period when the formation of coastal barrier III was completed (ca. 2,000 yr BP).

Based on diatom analysis, Ohira (1992) studied the Holocene sedimentary environments on the northeastern Niigata plain. He reconstructed the Holocene landform evolution of the region and pointed out that there was a

period of strong sediment supply between 5,400-4,800yr BP. Further study was conducted by Ohira (1995) on the landform evolution of the Sarobetsu plain in Hokkaido, northern Japan (Figure 3). He discussed the evolution of peatland in relation to the late Holocene environmental change, and noted that formation and expansion of peatland in the Sarobetsu

plain were closely related to the late Holocene minor sea-level fall in the periods ca. 4,5004,000 yr BP (Figure 4), and active fluvial condi

140 Masatomo Umitsu

tions were seen in the period of ca. 3,000-2,000

yr BP under a cool and humid climate.

Evolution of Maritime Coastal Lakes in

Japan

Many studies on the late Quaternary environmental changes of maritime coastal lakes have been done in Lake Hamana (Ikeya et al. 1990), Nakaumi and Shinji lakes (Tokuoka et al. 1990), Kasumigaura Lake (Saito et al, 1990), etc. Most of these maritime coastal lakes are considered to have evolved from former inlets that expanded inland during the postglacial marine transgression, and are not yet infilled by sediments. Studies on the lake-floor landforms and sea-level changes in the maritime coastal lakes have been carried out by Hirai (1983, 1987, 1989).

Hirai (1989) classified the landforms of lakeside terraces and littoral shelves of Japanese maritime coastal lakes, and discussed landforms and sea-level changes in the middle and late Holocene. He concluded that two terraces on the lakeside lowlands were formed at two different high lake-water levels 6,000yr BP and 4,000-3,000yr BP, and that littoral shelves that indicate low-water levels were formed in times of low water in 4,500yr BP, 3,000-2,000yr BP, and in the 16-17th centuries.

Ikeya et al. (1990) conducted an interdisciplinary study, including geology, sedimentology,

geography, geochemistry, paleontology, biology, archeology, and pedology, on the formation and evolution of Lake Hamana during the Holocene. The results of analyses of the sediments revealed the following six stages in relation to global sea-level changes: a period of

gradual rise of the sea level 10,000-9,000 yr BP; a period of rapid rise of the sea level 9,0006,000yr BP; a period of a stable high sea level 6,000-3,500yr BP; a period of falling sea level 3,500-2,800yr BP; a period of stable low sea level 2,800-1,000yr BP; and a period of rising sea level from 1,000yr BP-present. Paleogeogra

phical maps of Lake Hamana 10,000, 6,000, 3,000, and 1,800yr BP were also drawn in the study. Further studies on the evolution of maritime coastal lakes in the Holocene were done on Kamo Lake (Kobayashi et al. 1993) and Koyama

Lake (Akagi et al. 1993).Ohira et al. (1994) discussed the evolution of

peatland in small estuarine plains located along the shores of Lake Furen, northern Japan. They concluded that the formation and evolution of

peatland is closely related to middle and late Holocene sea-level fluctuations.

Concluding Remarks

Recent studies on the evolution and landform

formation of riverine coastal plains in Japan

have been carried out with reference to late

Quaternary sea-level changes. In particular, studies conducted during the last decade have

characteristically based their discussions and

explanations of late Holocene landform evolu

tion on the minor sea-level fluctuations of the

late Holocene. There are many places, however,

where the minor sea-level fluctuations have not

yet been examined. Furthermore, the influence of local tectonics, climatic changes, and sedi

ment supply during the late Holocene should

also be examined more in detail. To this end,

future research will need to incorporate region

al comparisons and examination of the land

form evolution of riverine coastal plains.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my thanks to Mr. T. R.

Hashimoto of Sydney University for his assistance in

the correction of English in my manuscript.

References

(Received Jan. 31, 1996)(Accepled May 25, 1996)

Akagi, S., Toyoshima, Y., Hoshimi, K., and Tanimura, M. 1993. Geoenvironment and geologic history of

lake Koyamaike, Tottori prefectre. The Memoirs of the Geological Society of Japan, 39:103-116. (JE)

Ando, K. 1986. Holocene paleoenvironments and the highest sea-level based on the diatom assem

blages in Minuma Lowland, Saitama Prefecture. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res. ), 23: 165-174. (JE)

Ando, K. 1988. Marine clay deposits on the US (Holocene upper sand bed) in Arakawa lowland, Saitama Prefecture. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 27: 139-151. (JE)

Ando, K., and Fujimoto, K. 1990. Radiocarbon ages obtained from upper limit of marine deposits in Arakawa lowland and problems for recogni

Late Quaternary Evolution of Coastal Plains 141

tion of paleosealevel. Ann. Tohoku Geogr. Assoc.(Tohoku Chin), 42: 152-160. (J)

Ando, K., Wada, M., and Takano, T. 1987. On paleo e nvironments based on the diatom assemblages in the Arakawa lowland, Saitama Prefecture. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 26: 111-127. (J)

Ariake Bay Research Group. 1965. Quaternary system of the Ariake and the Shiranui Bay areas, with special reference to the Ariake soft clay. Assoc. Geol. Collab. Japan, Monograph, 11. (JE)

Chida, N., Matsumoto, Y, and Obara, S. 1984. Recent alluvial deposit and Holocene sea-level change on Rikuzentakata coastal plain, northeast Japan. Annals of the Tohoku Geographical Association (Tohoku-chiri), 36: 232-239. (JE)

Chida, N. 1985. Geomorphic development of the Yukuhashi alluvial plain, northeastern Kyushu. Annals of the Tohoku Geographical Association

(Tohoku-chiri), 37: 267-278. (JE)Endo, K., Skimoto, K., and Takano, T. 1982. Holocene

stratigraphy and paleoenvironments in the Kanto Plain, in relation to the Jomon transgression. Proceedings of the Institute of Natural Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon Univ. 17: 1-16. (E)

Endo, K., Kosugi, M., and Hishida, R. 1988. Holocene and latest Pleistocene deposits and their basal topography in the Kanto plain, central Japan.

Proceedings of the Institute of Natural Sciences, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon Univ. 23: 37-38. (E)

Endo, K., Kosugi, M., Suzuki, S., and Hishida, R. 1987. Paleoenvironments after the Jomon transgres

sion around Soka City, Kanto plain. Proceedings of the Institute of Natural Sciences, College of Hu manities and Sciences, Nihon Univ., Earth Sciences, 22, 47-56. (E)

Endo, K., Kosugi, M., Matsushita, M., Miyaji, N., Hishida, R., and Takano, T. 1989. Holocene environmental history in and around the PaleoNagareyama Bay, central Kanto plain. Daiyonki

kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 28: 61-77. (JE)Frydle, P. M. 1982. Holocene ostracods in the southern

Boso Peninsula. Univ. Museum, Univ. Tokyo Bull., 20: 61-140. (E)

Fukumoto, H. 1989. Geographical features and environments of coast-depositional topographies in Japan. Geographical Review of Japan, 62A: 108-128. (JE)

Fujii, S. 1990. Changes of the paleoenvironment along the Japan Sea since the early Pleistocene. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 29: 173-182. (J)

Fujimoto, K. 1990. Successional reconstruction of late Holocene sea-level fluctuations in Matsushima Bay, northeastern Japan. Geographical Review of

Japan, 63A: 629-652. (JE)Fujimoto, K. 1993. Late Holocene sea-level changes in

Hiyogawa lowland facing Nanao-nishi Bay, Noto peninsula, central Japan. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The

Quat. Res.), 32: 1-12. (JE)Geological Research Group of Akita University on the

Nihonkai Chubu Earthquake in 1983. 1986 Late Quaternary geology and development of the coastal alluvial plain of Akita prefecture, northeast Japan. The Memoirs of the Geological Society

of Japan, 27: 213-235. (JE)Hayashi, M. 1991. Geomorphic development of the

Izumo plain. Geographical Review of Japan, 64A: 26-46. (JE)

Hirai, Y. 1983. Lacustrine and sublacustrine micro forms of Lake Ogawara with relation to the lake level changes after the maximum postglacial transgression. Annals of the Tohoku Geographical Association, 35: 81-91. (JE)

Hirai, Y. 1987. Lacustrine and sublacustrine micro forms and deposits near the shoreline of Lake Saroma and the sea level changes in the Sea of Okhotsuku in late Holocene. Annals of the Tohoku Geographical Association, 39: 1-15. (JE)

Hirai, H. 1989. Geomorphic features and development of the maritime coastal lakes in Japan. Geographical Review of Japan, 62A: 145-159. (JE)

Ikeya, N., Wada, H., Akutsu, H., and Takahashi, M. 1990. Origin and sedimentary history of Hamana ko Bay, Pacific coast of central Japan. The Memoirs of the Geological Society of Japan, 36: 129-150. (JE)

Iseki, H. 1977. Holocene sea level changes in Japan. "The Quaternary Period: Recent studies in Japan"

edited by Japan Assoc. Quat. Res., 89-97. (J)Iseki, H. 1988. Progress of the Quaternary studies on

the recent alluvial plains in Japan. Daiyonki kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 26: 187-200. (J)

Kobayashi, I., Kanzo, K., Kamoi, Y., and Watanabe, Y. 1993. Natural environment and history of lake

Kamo, Sado island. The Memoirs of the Geological Society of Japan, 39: 89-102. (JE)

Kosugi, M. 1985. Discrimination of living or dead cells of diatom based on the stained images-Its method and significance. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 24: 139-147. (JE)

Kosugi, M. 1986. Transportation and sedimentation patterns on dead diatoms in a tidal area-A case study in the lower reach of the Obitsu river. Geographical Review of Japan, 59A: 37-50. (JE)

Kosugi, M. 1988. Classification of living diatom as semblages as the indicator of environments, and its application to reconstruction of paleoenvironments. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 27: 1-20. (JE)

Kosugi, M. 1989. Coastline and adjacent environ ments of the former Tokyo Bay in the Holocene.

Geographical Review of Japan, 62A: 359-374. (JE)Kubo, S. 1990. The uplands and lowlands of Tokyo:

A geographical outline. Geographical Review of Ja pan, 63B: 73-87. (E)

Maeda, Y. 1984. Paleo environmental change during the Holocene on the coastal area along the Sea of

142 Masatomo Umitsu

Okhotsuku, Hokkaido. Dohosha, 430-440. (J)Maeda, Y., Yamashita, K., Matsushita, Y., and Wa

tanabe, . M. 1983. Marine transgression over Mazukari shell mound on the Chita Peninsula, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 22: 213-222. (J)

Matsubara, A. 1984. Geomorphic development of the alluvial plain facing the inner Suruga Bay. Geo graphical Review of Japan, 57: 37-56. (JE)

Matsubara, A. 1988. Geomorphic development of barriers in the coastal lowlands during the Holocene -a case study of the coastal lowlands along the

Suruga Bay, central Japan. Bulletin of the Department of Geography, University of Tokyo, 20: 57-77. (E)

Matsubara, A. 1989. Geomorphic development of barriers in the coastal lowlands during the Holocene -a case study of the Suruga Bay , central Japan.

Geographical Review of Japan. 62A: 160-183. (JE)Matsubara, A. 1992. Environmental change and

human activity around Megazuka in the Ukishimagahara lowkand, Shizuoka prefecture. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 31: 221-227. (JE)

Matsubara, A., Matsushima, Y. Ishibashi, K., Moriwaki, H., and Kashima, K. 1986. Environ

mental changes during the Holocene in the Matsuzaki Lowland, western part of the Izu Peninsula, central Japan. Chigaku-zasshi (J. Geogr.), 95: 339-356. (JE)

Matsumoto, H. 1984. Beach ridge ranges on Holocene coastal plains in northeast Japan-the formative factors and periods. Geographical Review of

Ja pan, 57: 720-738. (JE)Matsumoto, H. 1985. Beach ridge ranges and the

Holocene sea-level fluctuations on alluvial coastal plains, northeast Japan. Science Report of Tohoku University, 7th Ser. (Geography), 35: 15-46. (E)

Matsushima, Y. ed. 1987. The geological studies on the alluvial deposits in the Tama and Tsurumi Rivers Lowland, Kawasaki. Kawasaki City (Preparation committee for Kawasaki City Museum). (J)

Nagaoka, S., Memoku, H., and Matsushima, Y. 1986. Evolution of Holocene coastal landforms in the Miyazaki plain, southern Japan. Daiyonki-kenkyu

(The Quat. Res. ), 30: 59-78. (JE)Nakai, N., Ota, T., Fujisawa, H., and Yoshida, M. 1982.

Paleoclimatic and sea-level changes deduced from organic carbon isotope ratios, C/N ratios and pyrite contents of cored sediments from Nagoya Harbor, Japan. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The

Quat. Res.), 21: 169-177. (JE)Nakayama, M., and Toyoshima, Y. 1989. Distribution

of alluvial plains and their landform characteris tics in the outer zone of southwest Japan. Geographical Review of Japan, 62A: 92-107. (JE)

Naruse, T. 1989. Coastal sand dunes in Japan. Geographical Review of Japan, 62A: 129-144. (JE)

Naruse, T., and Onoma, M. 1984. Sea-level changes in

the late Holocene at Kijima, Maejima and Otabujima Islands on the western Harimanada in the Seto Inland Sea. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 22: 327-331. (JE)

Naruse, T., Onoma, M., and Murakami, Y. 1985. Data on late Holocene sea level changes in the coastal area along the Harimanada, Seto Inland Sea. Science Report of Hyogo Univ. Education 5, 53-64. (J)

Oba, T. 1988. Comments for sea level change. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 26: 243-250. (JE)

Ohira, A. 1992. Geomorphic development of the northeastern part of the Niigata plain, central Japan, during the Holocene. Geographical Review

of Japan, 65A: 867-888. (JE)Ohira, A. 1995. Holocene evolution of peatland and

paleoenvironmental change in the Sarobetsu low land, Hokkaido, northern Japan. Geographical Review of Japan, 68A: 695-712. (JE)

Ohira, A., Umitsu, M., and Hamade, S. 1994. Late Holocene development of peatlands in small alluvial lowlands around lake Furen, eastern Hokkaido, Japan. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 33: 45-50. (J)

Ono, A. 1988. Depositional environments of alluvium in Fukuyama plain on Seto Inland Sea, southwest Japan. Geographical Sciences (Chin Kagaku), 43: 93-109. (JE)

Oshima, K. 1982. Lowest sea level in the last glacia tion of the Japanese islands. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 21: 211-222. (JE)

Oshima, K. 1990. The history of straits around the Japanese islands in the late-Quaternary. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 29: 193-208. (JE)

Ota, Y., and Machida, H. 1987. Quaternary sea-level changes in Japan. In Sea-level changes. ed. M. J. Tooley, and I. Shennan, 182-224, The Institute of British Geographers Special Publication Series, 20, Basil Blackwell. (E)

Ota, Y., Matsushima, Y., Miyoshi, M., Kasima, K., Maeda, Y., and Moriwaki, H. 1985. Holocene environmental changes in the Choshi Peninsula and its surroundings, eastermost Kanto, Japan. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res. ), 24: 13-29. (JE)

Ota, Y., Matsushima, Y., and Moriwaki, H. 1982. Note on the Holocene sea-level study in Japan-On the basis of "Atlas of Holocene sea-level study in Japan". Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 21,133-143 . (JE)

Ota, Y., Ishibashi, K., Matsushima, Y., Matsuda, T., Miyoshi, M., Kashima, K., and Matsubara, A. 1986. Holocene relative sea-level change in the southern part of Izu Peninsula, central Japan: Data from subsurface investigation. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res. ), 25: 203-223. (JE)

Ota, Y., and Omura, A. 1991. Late Quaternary shore lines in the Japanese islands. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 30: 175-186. (JE)

Ota, Y., Umitsu, M., and Matsushima, Y., and Kawana,T. 1987. Middle Holocene Shoreline Maps of Japan.

Late Quaternary Evolution of Coastal Plains 143

Kokudo-Chizu Co. (E)Ota, Y., Umisu, M., and Matsushima, Y. 1990. Recent

Japanese research on relative sea level changes in the Holocene and related problems. Daiyonkikenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 29: 31-48. (JE)

Oya, M., and Kim, M. J. 1989. Comparative study of the fluvial plains between Japan and South Korea based on the geomorphological land classifcation.

Geographical Review of Japan, 62A: 75-91. (JE)Oya, M., Nakayama, M., and Takagi, I. 1988. Studies

on the geomorphological features of the fluvial plains in Japan forcusing the distribution,

geomorphological land classification and its application. Geographical Review of Japan, 61B: 35

- 49. (E)Sadakata, N., Shiragami, H., and Kashima, K. 1988.

Sea level of the two stages in the late Holocene deduced from the deposits of the coastal lowland in the subsided region of the southern Shikoku island. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 27: 125-129. (J)

Saito, Y., Inouchi, Y., and Yokota, S. 1990. Coastal lagoon evolution influenced by Holocene sealevel changes, Lake Kasumigaura, central Japan.

The Memoirs of the Geological Society of Japan, 36: 103-118.

Saito, Y., Matsumoto, E., and Kashima, K. 1989. Sea level of the last glaciation maximum based on in-place sediments on the shelf off Sendai, north east Japan. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 28:

111-119. (E)Sakaguchi, Y., Kashima, K., and Matsubara, A. 1985.

Holocene marine deposits in Hokkaido and their sedimentary environments. Bulletin of the Department of Geography, University of Tokyo, 17:1-17. (E)

Sato, H. 1989. Sulfur analysis of the sediment by the H2O2 Treatment-Turbidimetric method: a simple method for studying the paleoenvironment. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 28: 35-40. (JE)

Sawa, H., Matsushima, Y., and Sawa, M. 1994. Evolution of the Holocene lowland along the Hirasaku

river, Miura peninsula, southern Kanto, central Japan. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 33: 81

- 94. (JE)Shiragami, H. 1983. Beach ridges and their regional

difference in the northern coast of the Suo-Nada, Seto Inland Sea. Geographical Sciences (Chi

ri kagaku), 38: 133-141. (JE)Shiragami, H. 1985. The structure of alluvial forma

tions deduced from FeS2 contents of cored sediments taken from Hiroshima Plain. Geographical

Review of Japan, 58: 531-644. (JE)Suzuki, M., Yoshikawa, S., Endo, K., and Takano, T.

1993. Environmental changes during the last 32,000 years in the Sakuragawa lowland, Ibaragi

prefecture. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The. Quat. Res.), 32: 195-208. (JE)

Taguchi, K. 1993. Holocene relative sea-level change in the Izu peninsula, central Japan. Daiyonki

kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 32: 13-29. (JE)Thom, B. G. 1982. Mangrove ecology: a geomor

phological perspective. In Mangrove ecosystem in Australia, structure, function and management. ed.

B. F Clough, 3-17. Canberra: ANU Press,. (E)Tokuoka, T., Onishi, I., Takayasu, K., and Mitsunashi,

T. 1990. Natural history and environmental changes of lakes Nakaumi and Shinji. The Memoirs of the Geological Society of Japan, 36: 15

- 34. (JE)Umitsu, M. 1991. Holocene sea-level changes and

coastal evolution in. Japan. Daiyonki-kenkyu (The Quat. Res.), 30: 187-196. (E)

Umitsu, M. 1992. Holocene deltaic sequence of the Kiso river delta, central Japan. Journal of the Sedimentological Society of Japan, 36: 47-56. (JE)

Woodroffe, C. D. 1990. The impact of sea-level rise on mangrove shorelines. Progress in Physical Geography, 14: 483-520. (E)

Yonekura, N., and Ota, Y. 1986. Sea-level changes and tectonics in the late Quaternary. Recent Progress

of Natural Sciences in Japan, (61 Quaternary Research), Science Council of Japan, 11: 17-34.