The excursion on the Glacial and Periglacial geomorphology of the Japanese Alps and Mt. Fuji (B7) took place from 29 August to 3 September. It was leaded by Dr. Norikazu Matsuoka with the collaboration of Prof. Shuji Iwata, Dr. Hiroshi Shimazu, Dr. Masaki Iwafune, Dr. Shuji Yamada, Mr. Kotaro Fukui and Mr. Atsushi Ikeda. This excellent field-trip consisted of a transect through the Japanese Alps, from north to south, including the Mt. Fuji area (figure 1) and allowed the direct observation of relict and contemporary geomorphological dynamics and landforms of that mountain range.
The field-trip in part made together with the party of B8 excursion (Quaternary glaciation of the Japanese Alps), led by Prof. Yugo Ono with the collaboration of Dr. Hirohiko Hasegawa, Dr. Tatsuto Aoki and Mr. Takaaki Kawasumi. In the last days the B7 excursion party got separated in two subgroups (A and B) accounting for different objectives and climbs. The major areas visited during the excursion were:
- Northern part of the Northern Japanese Alps (Mt. Tateyama area);
- Southern part of the Northern Japanese Alps (Norikura Volcano and Kamikochi area);
- Central Japanese Alps (Mt. Kiso-Komagatake);
- Southern Japanese Alps (Mt. Shirane area);
- Mt. Fuji area.
Northern part of the Northern Japanese Alps (Mt. Tateyama area)
The Mount Tateyama area (3015 m a.s.l.) shows a typical alpine scenery with well developed periglacial and glacial landforms (figures 2, 3 and 4). The main topic of the day was the Kuranosoke cirque, located in the eastern ridge of Mt. Tateyama. There, the main features are an active protalus rampart, an inactive rockglacier and a glacieret. The cirque walls are covered by widespread screes. Debris-flow activity is very clear and mostly triggered by heavy rainfall. During the day-walk other features were discussed, with emphasis on: moraines at the Tateyama cirque, a relict rock glacier upslope of the Murodo lodge, talus activity and nivation hollows. The heavy rainfall and low clouds made it impossible to visit the 'Tateyama caldera' area. However, the time was well occupied with a visit to the excellent 'Tateyama caldera sabo museum', dedicated to the debris-flows, flooding and mass movement problems in the Tateyama area.
Southern part of the Northern Japanese Alps (Norikura Volcano and Kamikochi area)
Unfortunately the weather at the Norikura Volcano (ca. 3000 m a.s.l.) was overcast and the visibility was very poor. Therefore, very little of the Norikura Volcano could be seen. An on-route stop at a col at 2600 m a.s.l. allowed the observation of miniature sorted nets (figure 5) and the discussion of the erosion caused by typhoons on these microscale features. The party A of the group B7 visited the Azusa valley (Kamikochi area) during a very interesting full-day walk (on a nice sunny day!). The main features were the Yakedake Volcano (figure 6), impressive debris-flow deposits (triggered by heavy rainfall), alluvial fans, fluvial dynamics and alluvial plain geoecology (figures 7, 8 and 9).
Central Japanese Alps (Mt. Kiso-Komagatake)
The Kiso-Komagatake area was visited by the subgroup B7A and B8. Unfortunately the clouds were low again. It was however possible to see the main features of the Senjojiki cirque, that culminates at Mt. Hoken (2933 m a.s.l.). The cirque presents a complex of moraine ridges, the older dating from Marine Isotope Stage 4 or 3, and the more recent ones, from MIS2. The cirque wall shows debris-flow activity. An ascent to the ridge allowed the observation of the periglacial belt (figures 10 and 11) and the discussion of glacier extension during the Last Glaciation.
Southern Japanese Alps (Mt. Shirane area)
Mount Shirane area was visited by the subgroup B7B. The party climbed Mt. Kitadake (3192 m a.s.l.), the second highest mountain in Japan (the altitude difference was 1700 m), and rapid Quaternary uplift and erosion of the Japanese mountains were discussed. In the next day, in the nearby Mt. Ainodake (3189 m a.s.l.), several examples of technology for monitoring periglacial processes were shown (figure 12). Topics also included contemporary periglacial processes, mountain permafrost, fossil rock glaciers, rock slides and creep and Quaternary glaciation. The sunny weather permitted the participants to enjoy a spectacular alpine landscape in the Japanese Alps and Mt. Fuji.
During the last day, the B7A+B and B8 groups visited together the Mount Fuji area. Dense clouds were back and the Fuji was visited under poor visibility. The present-day extension of permafrost was discussed and snow avalanche tracks visited (figure 13). In the northwest piedmont of the Fuji, caves (lava tubes - figure 14) with perennial ice were visited. Despite their low altitude (ca. 1200 m a.s.l.) and high mean annual air temperature (outside the caves MAAT is ca. 8-9oC), ice forms inside the caves due to cold air influx during winter, snow melt during spring and reduced summer warm air fluxes.
The last stop of the field-trip was on the Hakone Volcano with a visit to the fumarole area (figure 15).
The field trip to the Japanese Alps and Mount Fuji was excellent both scientifically and socially, and very well-organized. The guidebook published in the framework of the two excursions (figure 16) is very well-prepared and fully-illustrated. Surely it will be used extensively in the future by non-japanese speaking geomorphologists visiting the Japanese Alps.
The organisers were prepared a wide variety of lodging (mountain huts, traditional lodges, hotels), that allowed an admirable contact with Japanese culture. The gastronomical diversity of Japan was also shown in the large variety of very good food. At the farewell dinner, a great musical moment was prepared by Dr. N. Matsuoka and Prof. W. Haeberli. It was followed by solo singing by some participants. Accounting to all the mentioned facts, the days in the Japanese Alps were an excellent and unforgettable experience.
Acknowledgements
I thank Dr. Norikazu Matsuoka for the supply of the information concerning the activities of the subgroup B7B and of the photo taken at Mt. Ainodake by Atsushi Ikeda.
Photographs:
 Figure 1 - General map of the field trip (from Matsuoka & Ono, 2001) |
 Figure 2 - Mass movements in the Kurobe gorge |
 Figure 3 - Small rockglacier, protalus rampart and glacieret in the Kuranosuke cirque (ca. 2700 m a.s.l.) |
 Figure 4 - Meteorological station near Mt. Masago (ca. 2800 m a.s.l.), Kuranosuke cirque area. Note the very active slope in the background |
 Figure 5 - Small sorted nets in the Norikura Volcano (ca. 2600 m a.s.l.) |
 Figure 6 - Yakedake Volcano with fumaroles and the Kamikochi valley |
 Figure 7 - The alluvial plain of the Kamikochi valley |
 Figure 8 - Debris-flow protection dam at Kamikochi basin |
 Figure 9 - Debris-flow track in the Kamikochi valley. Note the damage in the trees from the debris-flow activity that took place in 1998 |
 Figure 10 - Mount Hoken area (2993 m a.s.l.). Pinus pumila scrub adapted to strong winds and cold conditions |
 Figure 11 - Kiso-Komagatake mountain area (ca. 2900 m a.s.l.) |
 Figure 12 - Experimental site for monitoring periglacial dynamics at Mt. Ainodake (3189 m a.s.l.) (photo: A. Ikeda) |
 Figure 13 - The group in an avalanche track in the Mt. Fuji. Note the protection wall in the background |
 Figure 14 - Lava tunnel, Narusawa Ice Cave (Mt. Fuji area) |
 Figure 15 - Fumaroles, Hakone Volcano |
 Figure 16 - Excursion guidebook |
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