Landform of Japanese Islands presented on digital maps

Michio Nogami
Department of Geography, CHS, Nihon University
nogami@chs.nihon-u.ac.jp

We introduce landforms and the other physiographic characteristics of the Japanese Islands by using digital data of elevation (50m-DEMs), geology (250m-resolution), landform classification (1km-), vegetation, landuse and climate (monthly temperature/precipitation).

The Islands located in middle latitudes have permafrosts and coral reefs. In summer we have hot and rainy weather as the tropics but in winter very cold one and much snow accumulation in the Japan Sea side. This wide range of climate induces complexity of the geomorphic processes and vegetation-soil formation. The flora and fauna are rich in quantity and diversity although the Islands are densely populated. The Islands are located in the tectonic boundary zone where the oceanic plates are subsiding. We have many Quaternary volcanoes and 86 of which are active. The local crust movements which build steep mountains and depositional plains, have averagely high velocities and many times they accompany great earthquakes. The landforms of the Islands are active geomorphologically and young geologically. History of landform development has been well recorded in the Quaternary geology and actual landforms themselves.