SYMPOSIUM: ON THE FEATURES OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE PLAINS ALONG THE JAPAN SEA

The following topics were discussed at the “Symposium on the Features of the Physical Environment of the Plains along the Japan Sea” held at Niigata University, in Niigata City, which is located on the Japan Sea. 1) Geomorphological changes during the Quaternary in the Niigata Plain, 2) Topography which has been formed by the recent crustal movement in the Shonai and Fukui Plains, 3) the formation processes of the Kisagata Plain which was formed by volcanic activities, 4) Relationship between the fluctuation of sea-water level and the geomorphology of the Toyama Plain, 5) Relationship between the formation process of the alluvial plain and the coastal sand dune, b) Features of the alluvial plain which are located along the Japan Sea, based on the geomorphological land classification. Based on the above topics, the discussion was focused on the boundary between Holocene and Pleistocene; features of the natural levee in the Niigata Plain; regional differences of the topography of the plains influenced between the crustal movements; relationship between the crustal movements and fluctuation of the sea-level; classification of the alluvial plains based on whether it has alluvial fan or not; and the impact on the natural environments caused by flood control.