Recent Progress on Coral Reef Terrace Studies in Japan.

• Omura Akio

  Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kanazawa University

• Ota Yoko

  Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature, Senshu University

Abstract

We review the progress on coral reef terrace studies in Japan since 1990. We first summarize recent progress in the study of paleo-sea-level indicators which are based on the present-day coral assemblage in the Ryukyu Islands. Five coral assemblages as different water depth indicators are used for analysis of coral terraces in the Ryukyu Islands and also in the Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. In addition to the water depth analysis, an accurate dating of corals by the alpha-spectrometric method resulted in revision of paleo-sea-level heights on the Huon Peninsula, which has been used as one of the standards for Quaternary sea level studies. We also point out the finding of isotope stage 3 corals at rapidly uplifting Kikai Island. Heights of stage 5e coral terraces show differential tectonic uplift among islands on the overriding Eurasian plate and on the subducting Philippine Sea plate. Japanese contributions on overseas coral terrace studies are summarized, emphasizing coseismic uplift as a major cause of tectonic uplift.

Journal

• The Quaternary Research (Daiyonki-Kenkyu)

  The Quaternary Research (Daiyonki-Kenkyu) 38 (3), 228-236, 1999

  Japan Association for Quaternary Research

Keywords

• coral reef terraces
• Ryukyu Islands
• Huon Peninsula
• water depth indicator
• alpha-spectrometric dating
• tectonic uplift

Details

• CRID: 1390001206496113792
• NII Article ID: 10002511572
• NII Book ID: AN0034136X
• DOI: 10.4116/jaqua.38.228
• ISSN: 18818129
• ISSN: 04182642
• NDL BIB ID: 4749719
• Web Site: https://ndlsearch.ndl.go.jp/books/R000000004-I4749719
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • NDL
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed