Marine terraces and fault back-facing fault scarplet on the south coast of Kii peninsula, Southwest Japan

Abstract

The marine terraces along the southern coast of Kii peninsula are classified into H1, H2, M1 and M2 surfaces in descending order. The most extensively developing M1 surface was probably formed in the period of MIS 5e. The M1 surfaces are distributed at different altitudes of 20 m to 60 m. The heights of raised M1 surface match the location of the westward extension of the Enshu-nada flexure. Some back-facing fault scarplets on M1 and M2 surface indicate that the uplifted coastal area is fringed with master fault.