Introduction and progress of facies analysis and sequence stratigraphy based on the studies of observation of siliciclastic strata in Japan

Abstract

Reconstruction of sedimentary environments based on sedimentary facies analysis has become more popular in Japan since the 1980s. Moreover, sedimentologists have demonstrated that sedimentary environments change over time, based on dynamic sequence stratigraphic concepts. Since 1991, increasing numbers of sedimentological papers have been published by Japanese authors. The 17th International Sedimentological Congress held at Fukuoka in 2006 was an opportunity to activate research exchanges among East Asian countries. Studies in sedimentary geology have progressed rapidly, thanks to state-of-the-art measurements, computer simulations, and careful observations of strata from field studies. Recent changes in the social and natural environments, however, have caused additional difficulties for research based on field studies.