The author intended in the present paper to describe the history of development of the Yatsugatake Volcanic chain, situated in Central Japan. He considered on the following two main problems. (1) The problem of tectonic significance of the stratovolcano. The volcanoes are characterized by the existence of remarkable faults which cut the top parts of the volcanic ranges. Between these faults older volcanic rocks are exposed on a large scale. They are rich in rock facies and special joint systems. Pyritization of rocks are noticed even in the field, and also chloritization, carbonitization and recrystallization under the microscope. These features resemble to those of the adjacent Tertiary volcanic rocks. (2) The problem of relation between the volcano-tectonics and the rock facies since Pliocene. The area including this volcanic chain and the Pliocene volcanic chain of Kirigamine-Yashigamine is divided into three zones, showing echeron structure from the view point of the volcano-tectonics and rock facies. Petrographically, the inner zone is characterized by biotite dacites and hornblende andesites, the middle by obsidians, hornblende andesites and the outer by pyroxene andesites. The petrographic characters and the mode of eruptions in the same zone show remarkable similarities. The comparison of the geologic features of each zone suggests that the genesis of rocks of these regions should be considered on the ground of the geologic history since Pliocene, and the character of the regional geology.
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