Role of aggregates in the forming process of tephric loess dunes distributed along the Pacific coast of eastern Japan

Abstract

The Pacific coast of eastern Japan contains specific aeolian landforms of geomorphological interest in terms of their formation processes in humid climates and Holocene paleoenvironments. Wind erosion landforms, characterised by blowouts, were observed at the heads of coastal cliffs which consisted of marine gravel sediments, weathered volcanic ash layers (WVALs) and black soil layers (BSLs). The blowouts were accompanied by downwind tephric loess dunes. We analysed the physicochemical properties of the WVAL, BSL and dune sediment samples. The results revealed that clay and silt contents in dune sediments were 5–48% and 20–35%, respectively. The fine particles were in the form of aggregates in the WVALs, BSLs and dune sediments, with contributions from andic properties. WVAL and BSL aggregates were prone to movement in saltation, depositing into the dunes in a formation process similar to that of clay dunes in semiarid zones. The tephric loess dunes were characterised as clay dunes based on their high clay and silt contents. In addition, the dunes were characterised by durable aggregates derived from short-range-order minerals, such as allophane. The prevailing northeasterly winds caused by intense low pressures were responsible for dune formation in the study areas. Radiocarbon dating revealed two active wind periods. The first was approximately 1005–895 cal. BC to 358–281 cal. BC, and the second was 771–886 cal. AD to 1021–1155 cal. AD.