Clockwise 180° rotation of slip direction in a superficial nappe pile emplaced upon a high-P/T type metamorphic terrane in central Japan

Understanding the exhumation process of deep-seated material within subduction zones is important in comprehending the tectonic evolution of active margins. The deformation and slip history of superficial nappe pile emplaced upon high-P/T type metamorphic rocks can reveal the intimate relationship between deformation and transitions in paleo-stress that most likely arose from changes in the direction of plate convergence and exhumation of the metamorphic terrane. The Kinshozan–Atokura nappe pile emplaced upon the high-P/T type Sanbagawa (= Sambagawa) metamorphic rocks is the remnant of a pre-existing terrane located between paired metamorphic terranes along the Median Tectonic Line (MTL) of central Japan. Intra- and inter-nappe structures record the state of paleo-stress during metamorphism and exhumation of the Sanbagawa terrane. The following tectonic evolution of the nappes is inferred from a combined structural analysis of the basal fault of the nappes and their internal structures. The relative slip direction along the hanging wall rotated clockwise by 180°, from S to N, in association with a series of major tectonic changes from MTL-normal contraction to MTL-parallel strike-slip and finally MTL-normal extension. This clockwise rotation of the slip direction can be attributed to changes in the plate-induced regional stress state and associated exhumation of the deep-seated Sanbagawa terrane from the Late Cretaceous (Coniacian) to the Middle Miocene.     

Measurements of time-averaged intensity of water motion with plaster balls

Water motion is a very important environment surrounding marine organisms. It is, however, difficult to measure currents with a propeller type of current meters in seagrass or seaweed beds in shallow waters. Therefore, we elaborate the measuring method of time-averaged intensity of water motion with plaster balls invented by Muus (1968) to set them at several depths at short vertical intervals in shallow waters. Theoretical examination is also made on the relation between speed of steady flow and dissolution rate of plaster balls by experiments in a circuit tank. These experiments revealed that the temporal rate of decrease in the 1/2 power of wet weight of plaster balls excluding a rod supporting the plaster ball was proportional to the speed of steady flow in the tank. On the basis of this relation, we propose the method for estimating the time-averaged intensity of water motion by converting the loss of wet weight of plaster ball to the speed of steady flow bringing equivalent loss. Since this method is simple and convenient, it can be applied to obtaining environmental indices of water motion not only in seagrass or seaweed forests, but also in fishing grounds culturingporphyra, yellow tail (Seriola quinqueradiata) or oysters.     

The upper portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water; Its source and circulation as deduced from isopycnal analysis

All of the available hydrographic station data (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate and nitrate) taken in various seasons from 1964 to 1985 are analyzed to show where the upper portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water (UJSPW) is formed and how it circulates. From vertical distributions of water properties, the Japan Sea Proper Water can be divided into an upper portion and a deep water at the ₁ (potential density referred to 1000 db) depth of 32.05 kg m^–3 surface. The UJSPW in the north of 40°N increases in dissolved oxygen contents and decreases in phosphate contents in winter, while no significant seasonal variation is seen in the south of 40°N. Initial nutrient contents calculated from relationships between AOU and nutrients on isopycnal surfaces show no significant regional difference in the Japan Sea; this suggests that the UJSPW has originated from a single water mass. From depth, dissolved oxygen and phosphate distributions on ₁ 32.03 kg m^–3 surface, core thickness distribution and subsurface phosphate distribution, it is inferred that the UJSPW is formed by the wintertime convection in the region west of 136°E between 40° and 43°N, and advected into the region west of the Yamato Rise along the Continent; finally, it must enter into the Yamato Basin.     

On the scale of the turbulent small masses of sea water

The relation between the initial spatial scale and the life time, of turbulent small masses of sea water produced at the strait or the interface between two water masses, is investigated analytically. In the analysis, their initial shape is assumed to be expressed as the Rankine vortex, and the horizontal eddy viscosity coefficient to obey then-th power-law with respect to scale. Particularly in the case ofn=4/3 (the 4/3 power-law), it is obtained that the life time is proportional to the 2/3 power of the initial scale. The proportional coefficient can be determined in the present analysis except a parameter related to the energy dissipation rate of each sea area.     

Interannual variation of the upper portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water and its probable cause

The long-term variation of water properties in the upper portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water (UJSPW) is examined on the basis of hydrographic data at PM10, located on the northwestern Japan Sea, and at PM05, in the Yamato Basin, taken from 1965 through 1982. At PM10, located at the southern boundary of the UJSPW formation region, dissolved oxygen fluctuations on the UJSPW core showed negative correlation with phosphate variations, but showed no signficant correlation with salinity variations. At PM05 water properties fluctuated with smaller amplitudes than those at PM10 except for salinity. Dissolved oxygen variations at PM10 lead those at PM05 by 12–15 months, suggesting that the UJSPW near PM10 circulates into the Yamato Basin spending 12–15 months. Increases of dissolved oxygen contents in summer on relevant isopycnal surfaces at PM10 occurred after cold and/or windy winters except for two of eight; this suggests that larger volume of the UJSPW is formed in severa winter. Rough estimations of the formation rate and existing volume of the UJSPW are made on the basis of a climatological dataset; 1.5×10⁴ km³ yr^–1 and 27.3×10⁴ km³, respectively. The ventilation time of the UJSPW, 18.2 years, is about one tenth or less of residence time for the entire Japan Sea Proper Water. This indicates that the UJSPW is renewed about ten times as quick as the deeper water.     

Subdivision of the Sanbagawa pumpellyite–actinolite facies region in central Shikoku, southwest Japan

Abstract   The mineral assemblages of the pumpellyite–actinolite facies such as pumpellyite + actinolite + epidote + chlorite or actinolite + epidote + hematite + chlorite occur in the Sanbagawa low-grade metamorphic region, central Shikoku, southwest Japan. Chemical compositions of these minerals from the eight newly studied areas were analyzed in order to evaluate the areal extent and thermal structure of the region. In the buffered assemblage of pumpellyite + actinolite + epidote + chlorite, the Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺ + Al) values of epidote decrease slightly with decreasing Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺ + Mg) values for chlorite. The changes in these values show a general correlation with temperature. The presence of this relationship implies that the Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺ + Al) values of epidote can be used to divide the Sanbagawa low-grade metamorphic region into low-, medium- and high-grade subzones. The areal distribution of these subzones indicates that: (i) the temperature seems to decrease in the same sense as envisaged by the zonal mapping of the higher-grade pelitic schists; and (ii) there is no significant gap of metamorphic conditions through the boundary between the two structural units (Besshi and Oboke units). It follows that the Sanbagawa low-grade metamorphic region decreases in temperature going up the structural section, and tectonic discontinuities have not affected the thermal structure.     

The spatial and temporal distributions of spheroidal carbonaceous particles from sediment core samples from industrial cities in Japan and China

Spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs) are produced by the high-temperature combustion of fossil fuels and emitted in to the atmosphere. The distribution and concentration of SCPs in sediments have been used as a proxy for the distribution of pollutants emitted to the atmosphere. However, the effect on the distribution of SCPs due to industrial activity at nearby industrial cities is yet to be quantified. To clarify the origin of SCPs of ~20 μm in size that are preserved in sediments, we evaluated the abundance, surface morphology, and chemical composition of SCPs in sediment core samples recovered from industrial cities in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagasaki) and China (Beijing), with the cities being located at least ~500 km away from each other. Vertical profiles of SCP concentration in sediment cores from the Japanese cities and Beijing are different, reflecting the contrasting industrial histories of the two countries. The SCPs from different cities show contrasting morphological and chemical characteristics, suggesting that ~20 μm SCPs in sediments from the industrial cities could represent the local combustion history in detail, as the influx of local SCPs is dominant at such sites.     

Pumpellyite from zeolite facies metabasites of the Horokanai ophiolite in the Kamuikotan zone,Hokkaido, Japan

Pumpellyite occures in zeolite facies metabasites of the Horokanai ophiolite in the Kamuikotan zone, Hokkaido, Japan, filling veins or amygdules, replacing igneous plagioclase or clinopyroxene or olivine, and occupying the matrix. Its composition and pleochroism vary greatly even within a single sample, but appear to be related to its mode of occurrence. Thus, the most Al-rich pumpellyite with pale green to green pleochroism develops in pseudomorphs after plagioclase, whereas the most Fe^*-rich variety with deep green to brown pleochroism occurs in the matrix. In low-grade metamorphic rocks which commonly contain relict minerals, chemical equilibrium is attained only locally. This results in the correlation of the composition of pumpellyite with its mode of occurrence, such as the precursor phases which are replaced by pumpellyite. On the other hand, among pumpellyites occurring in similar mode and coexisting with Ca-zeolite (laumontite or wairakite), epidote, chlorite and quartz, the Al content tends to be enriched in the wairakite-bearing metabasites over the laumontite-bearing metabasites. It follows that the composition of pumpellyite is also dependent upon the temperature of metamorphism.