Mount Yukikura-dake (2611 m ASL, in the center of the photo), with austere, elegant landscapes, is situated in the northernmost part of the Japanese Alps. The torrential Shirakochi-sawa Valley originates from the north face of Yukikura-dake; its drainage basin was glaciated during the late Pleistocene. Holocene landslides continue to occur throughout the basin, affecting the topographies and vegetation and thus the landscape development in this area. Gentle slopes are seen in the foreground area of part where landslides originate. The marginal ridge where snow melts early in summer and soil moisture is low is covered by subalpine conifers, while the central depression where snow melts later and soil moisture is high is covered by dwarf trees and grass.
(Photograph & Explanation: Yoshihiko KARIYA; Photographed on October 4, 2009)
