In this paper, the author deals with the Shinshu Loam formations consisting of volcanic ash, pumice, scoria and mud-flows and with the associated some events recorded within the Loam in the Kiso Valley. Moreover, the author disscusses a question whether any tephraic horizon may be used or not as the key for the mutual correlation of river terraces along the Kiso Valley. In the Kiso Valley, the Loam formations are divided into three Loam unit, namely the Younger, the Middle and the Older Loam. The Younger Loam contains two scoria beds, a sheet of mudflows and a yellow pumice bed, and they are usable as the key beds for the correlation of the river terraces. In the middle horizon of the Younger Loam, there is an unconformity which was produced by solifluction under the past cold climate. This unconformity is also useful for the mutual correlation of certain horizons of the Younger Loam. The Middle Loam has three pumice beds, namely "the first", "the second" and "the third pumice bed". Each of these is distinguished by the relative amount and the composition of the heavy minerals contained and usable as key beds. Pumice grains of water-deposition are also useful as the key when they are confirmed to be primary deposits. The Older Loam is situated directly upon the Higher Terraces and in another case embedded within the deposits building the Higher Terraces. This Loam contains one or two pumice beds, but its stratigraphic section is not established clearly.
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