Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T17:58:36.210Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Late Quaternary cryptotephra detection and correlation in loess in northeastern Japan using cummingtonite geochemistry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Tabito Matsu'ura ,
Isoji Miyagi  and
Akira Furusawa
Tabito Matsu'ura*
Affiliation:
Geological Survey of Japan, AIST, Site 7, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, Japan Now at Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization (JNES), Kamiya-cho MT Bldg., 4-3-20, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0001, Japan
Isoji Miyagi
Affiliation:
Geological Survey of Japan, AIST, Site 7, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, Japan
Akira Furusawa
Affiliation:
Furusawa Geological Survey, 93-7 Yashiki, Tosaki-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-0840, Japan
*
⁎Corresponding author. Fax: +81 3 4511 1598.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We detected late Pleistocene cummingtonite-bearing cryptotephras in loess deposits in NE Japan and correlated them with known tephras elsewhere by using major-element compositions of the cummingtonite. This is the first time cryptotephras have been identified by analysis of a crystal phase rather than glass shards. In central NE Japan, four cummingtonite-bearing tephras, the Ichihasama pumice, the Dokusawa tephra, the Naruko–Nisaka tephra, and the Adachi–Medeshima tephra, are present in late Pleistocene loess deposits. Because the cummingtonite chemistry of each tephra is different and characteristic, it is potentially a powerful tool for detecting and identifying cryptotephras. An unidentified cummingtonite-bearing cryptotephra previously reported to be present in the late Pleistocene loess deposits at Kesennuma (Pacific coast) did not correlate with any of the known cummingtonite-bearing tephras in central NE Japan, but instead with the Numazawa–Kanayama tephra (erupted from the Numazawa caldera, southern NE Japan), although Kesennuma is well beyond the previously reported area of the distribution of the Numazawa–Kanayama tephra. Three new cummingtonite-bearing cryptotephras in the mid and late Pleistocene loess deposits (estimated to be less than 82 ka, 100–200 ka, and ca. 250 ka) on the Isawa upland were also detected.

Keywords

Late QuaternaryCryptotephraTephraCummingtoniteCorrelation toolChemical analysisLoess depositsNortheastern Japan
Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 75 , Issue 3 , May 2011 , pp. 624 - 635
Copyright
University of Washington

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aoki, K. Revised age and distribution of ca. 87 ka Aso-4 tephra based on new evidence from the northwest Pacific Ocean. Quaternary International 178, (2008). 100–118.Google Scholar
Aoki, K., and Arai, F. Late Quaternary tephrostratigraphy of marine core KH-94-3, LM-8 Sanriku, Japan. The Quaternary Research (Japan) 39, (2000). 107–120. (in Japanese with English abstract) Google Scholar
Bassinot, F.C., Labeyrie, L.D., Vincent, E., Quidelleur, X., Shackleton, N.J., and Lancelot, Y. The astronomical theory of climate and the age of the Brunhes–Matuyama magnetic reversal. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 126, (1994). 91–108.Google Scholar
Davies, S.M., Wastegård, S., Abbott, P.M., Barbante, C., Bigler, M., Johnsen, S.J., Rasmussen, T.L., Steffensen, J.P., and Svensson, A. Tracing volcanic events in the NGRIP ice-core and synchronising North Atlantic marine records during the last glacial period. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 294, (2010). 69–79.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
de Fontaine, C.S., Kaufman, D.S., Anderson, R.S., Werner, A., Waythomas, C.F., and Brown, T.A. Late Quaternary distal tephra-fall deposits in lacustrine sediments, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Quaternary Research 68, (2007). 64–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gehrels, M.J., Lowe, D.J., Hazell, Z.J., and Newnham, R.M. A continuous 5300-yr Holocene cryptotephrostratigraphic record from northern New Zealand and implications for tephrochronology and volcanic hazard assessment. The Holocene 16, (2006). 173–187.Google Scholar
Gehrels, M.J., Newnham, R.M., Lowe, D.J., Wynne, S., Hazell, Z.J., and Caseldine, C. Towards rapid assay of cryptotephra in peat cores: review and evaluation of various methods. Quaternary International 178, (2008). 68–84.Google Scholar
Geschwind, C.-H., and Rutherford, M.J. Cummingtonite and the evolution of the Mount St. Helens (Washington) magma systems: an experimental study. Geology 20, (1992). 1011–1014.2.3.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ichikawa, Y. Sekki bunka danwa-kai, Thermoluminescence Ages of the Zazaragi Site and Its Environment. Zazaragi site, Tagajo-shi (1983). 95–96. (in Japanese) Google Scholar
Ichikawa, Y., and Hiraga, S. Thermoluminescence Ages of Some Paleolithic Sites in Miyagi Prefecture. Program and abstracts of the Japan Association for Quaternary Research 18, (1988). 46–47. (in Japanese) Google Scholar
Kanisawa, S., and Yoshida, T. Genesis of the extremely low-K tonalites from the island arc volcanism: lithic fragments in the Adachi–Medeshima pumice deposits, northeast Japan. Bulletin of Volcanology 51, (1989). 346–354.Google Scholar
Koshimizu, T. Sekki bunka danwa-kai, Fission-track Ages of the Zazaragi Site and Its Environment. Zazaragi site, Tagajo-shi (1983). 97–99. (in Japanese) Google Scholar
Lim, C., Ikehara, K., and Toyoda, K. Cryptotephra detection using high-resolution trace-element analysis of Holocene marine sediments, southwest Japan. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 7, (2008). 5022–5036.Google Scholar
Lowe, D.J. Late Quaternary volcanism in New Zealand: towards an integrated record using distal airfall tephras in lakes and bogs. Journal of Quaternary Science 3, (1988). 111–120.Google Scholar
Lowe, D.J. Globalisation of tephrochronology — new views from Australasia. Progress in Physical Geography 32, (2008). 311–335.Google Scholar
Lowe, J.J., Blockley, S.P.E., Trincardi, F., Asioli, A., Cattaneo, A., Matthews, I.P., Pollard, A.M., and Wulf, S. Age modelling of late Quaternary marine sequences in the Adriatic: towards improved precision and accuracy using volcanic event stratigraphy. Continental Shelf Research 27, (2007). 560–582.Google Scholar
Lowe, D.J., and Hunt, J.B. A summary of terminology used in tephra-related studies. Les Dossiers de l'Archaeo-Logis 1, (2001). 17–22.Google Scholar
Lowe, D.J., Shane, P.A.R., Alloway, B.V., and Newnham, R.M. Fingerprints and age models for widespread New Zealand tephra marker beds erupted since 30, 000 years ago: a framework for NZ-INTIMATE. Quaternary Science Reviews 27, (2008). 95–126.Google Scholar
Machida, H., and Arai, F. Atlas of Tephra in and Around Japan. (2003). University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo. 336 pp., (in Japanese with English abstract) Google Scholar
Matsu'ura, T., Furusawa, A., and Saomoto, H. Late Quaternary uplift rate of the northeastern Japan arc inferred from fluvial terraces. Geomorphology 95, (2008). 384–397.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Matsu'ura, T., Furusawa, A., and Saomoto, H. Long-term and short-term vertical velocity profiles across the forearc in the NE Japan subduction zone. Quaternary Research 71, (2009). 227–238.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Matsu'ura, T., Nitta, E., Kanisawa, S., and Nakashima, K. Dokusawa tephra erupted at approximately 100 ka and its eruptive process in the central part of northeast Japan. Bulletin of Volcanological Society of Japan 47, (2002). 711–725. (in Japanese with English abstract) Google Scholar
Matsu'ura, T., Nitta, E., Kanisawa, S., and Nakashima, K. Correlation of Dokusawa and Kitahara Tephras in the Central Part of Northeast Japan — EPMA Analyses of Heavy Minerals. Science Report of Tohoku University 7th Series (Geography) 52, (2003). 29–44.Google Scholar
Miyagi, I. On the eruption age of the Hijiori caldera, based on more accurate and reliable radiocarbon data. Bulletin of Volcanological Society of Japan 49, (2004). 201–205.Google Scholar
Mullineaux, D.R. Summary of pre-1980 tephra-fall deposits erupted from Mount St. Helens Washington State, USA. Bulletin of Volcanology 45, (1986). 17–26.Google Scholar
Nakai, N. Tohoku rekishi shiryo-kan, , Sekki bunka danwa-kai, Report on 14C Dating of Babadan-A Site. Tohoku rekishi shiryo-kan shiryo-shu no.39, Tagajo-shi (1988). 52 (in Japanese) Google Scholar
Okami, K., and Yoshida, M. Tephrochronology of the Isawa Fan Area, Middle Course of the Kitakami River. Report on Technology of Iwate University 137, (1984). 69–81. (in Japanese with English abstract) Google Scholar
Payne, R., Blackford, J., and van der Plicht, J. Using cryptotephras to extend regional tephrochronologies: an example from southeast Alaska and implications for hazard assessment. Quaternary Research 69, (2008). 42–55.Google Scholar
Shane, P., Frogatt, P., Smith, T., and Gregory, M. Multiple source for sea-rafted Loisels pumices, New Zealand. Quaternary Research 49, (1998). 271–279.Google Scholar
Shane, P.A.L., Smith, V., and Nairn, I.A. Biotite composition as a tool for the identification of Quaternary tephra beds. Quaternary Research 59, (2003). 262–270.Google Scholar
Smith, D.R., and Leeman, W.P. Mineralogy and phase chemistry of Mount St. Helens tephra sets W and Y as keys to their identification. Quaternary Research 17, (1982). 211–227.Google Scholar
Smith, V.C., Shane, P., and Nairn, I.A. Trends in rhyolite geochemistry, mineralogy, and magma storage during the last 50 kyr at Okataine and Taupo volcanic centres, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 148, (2005). 372–406.Google Scholar
Smith, V.C., Shane, P.A.R., Nairn, I.A., and Williams, C.M. Geochemistry and magmatic properties of eruption episodes from Haroharo linear vent zone, Okataine Volcanic Centre, New Zealand, during the last 10 kyr. Bulletin of Volcanology 69, (2006). 57–88.Google Scholar
Soda, T. Tephrochronological study of the layers including the early Paleolithic artifacts in the northern part of Sendai plain. The Quaternary Research (Japan) 28, (1989). 269–282. (in Japanese with English abstract) Google Scholar
Suzuki, T. Transgression and regression of MIS 5.5 and its related tephras recognized at the Tsukabara coast on Pacific Ocean, northeast Japan. Journal of Geography 108, (1999). 216–230.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Suzuki, T. Iizuna–Kamitaru tephra group erupted from the Iizuna volcano of Myoko volcano group in the transition from marine isotope stage 6 to 5, and its significance for the chronological study of central Japan. The Quaternary Research 40, (2001). 29–41. (in Japanese with English abstract) CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Suzuki, T. Analysis of titanomagnetite within weathered middle Pleistocene KMT tephra and its application for fluvial terrace chronology, Kanto Plain, central Japan. Quaternary International 178, (2008). 119–127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Suzuki, T., Fujiwara, O., and Dangara, T. Stratigraphy and chronology of middle Pleistocene tephras in and around Aizu area, northwest Japan. Journal of Geography 113, (2004). 38–61. (in Japanese with English abstract) CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Suzuki, T., and Soda, T. Numazawa–Kanayama tephra erupted from Numazawa volcano at 50–55 ka in the southern part of the northwest Japan arc. The Quaternary Research (Japan) 33, (1994). 233–242. (in Japanese with English abstract) Google Scholar
Wagner, B., Sulpizio, R., Zanchetta, G., Wulf, S., Wessels, M., Daut, G., and Nowaczyk, N. The last 40 ka tephrostratigraphic record of Lake Ohrid, Albania and Macedonia: a very distal archive for ash dispersal from Italian volcanoes. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 177, (2008). 71–80.Google Scholar
Wastegård, S., and Davies, S.M. An overview of distal tephrochronology in northern Europe during the last 1000 years. Journal of Quaternary Science 24, (2009). 500–512.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Watanabe, M., Danhara, T., and Fujiwara, O. Fission Track Ages of Quaternary Tephras and Chronology of Fluvial Terrace Surfaces in Southern Part of the Kitakami Lowland, Northeast Japan. Proceedings of the General Meeting of the Association of Japanese Geographers 63, (2003). 111 (in Japanese) Google Scholar
Wessel, P., and Smith, W.H.F. New, Improved Version of the Generic Mapping Tools Released. EOS Trans. AGU 79, (1998). 579 Google Scholar
Wulf, S., Kraml, M., and Keller, J. Towards a detailed distal tephrostratigraphy in the central Mediterranean: the last 20,000 yrs record of Lago Grande di Monticchio. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 177, (2008). 118–132.Google Scholar
Yagi, H., and Soda, T. A stratigraphical study on the late Pleistocene widespread tephras occurring in central and northern part of Miyagi Prefecture. Journal of Geography 98, (1989). 39–53. (in Japanese with English abstract) Google Scholar