Glacial Fluctuations Controlled by Volcanic Events on the Tateyama Volcano, Hida Range, Central Japan, during the Last Glacial Period

Abstract

Glacial fluctuations controlled by volcanic events on the Tateyama Volcano (about 2, 670m a. s. l.) in the Hida Range, central Japan, during the last glacial period were reconstructed on the basis of glacial sediments, landforms, volcanic ejecta and their stratigraphic relationships. On Mt. Tateyama (3, 015m a. s. l.) comprising granitic bedrock, glaciers became less extensive depending on the climate change from Murodo Stades I (just before 70ka) and II (just after 70ka) through Tateyama Stades I (just before 29 cal ka), II (18-20ka) and III (10-11ka). In contrast, glaciers on the Tateyama Volcano adjacent to Mt. Tateyama became more expansive from Murodo Stades I and II through Tateyama Stade I, because the successive emergence of lava peaks progressively widened the accumulation area. In addition, a glacier rich in basal water may have surged from a lava peak in Murodo Stade II, due to high geothermal flow. However, it has not been confirmed whether or not the glacier snout descended most in Tateyama Stade I. In Tateyama Stade I, the repeated collapse of caldera walls decreased the accumulation area on the lava peaks, which resulted in intermittent glacial retreat on the volcano. In Tateyama Stades II and III, the glaciers on the volcano advanced to lesser extent depending on the climate change, because the Tateyama Volcano maintained its height and size.