Geographical Review of Japan
Online ISSN : 2185-1719
Print ISSN : 0016-7444
ISSN-L : 0016-7444
Volume 37, Issue 7
Displaying 1-4 of 4 articles from this issue
  • Masahiko OHYA
    1964Volume 37Issue 7 Pages 357-376
    Published: July 01, 1964
    Released on J-STAGE: December 24, 2008
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Distinct regional differences are to be found concerning geomorphology and flooding among the plains of the Cho Shui Chi (Taiwan), Chao Phya (Thailand), Irrawaddy (Burma) and Ganges (India and East Pakistan).
    (1) There is a large fan with a radius of 13 km along the Cho Shui Chi, but its natural F levees and delta are small. On the contrary, fans are scarcely developed in the Chao Phya and Irrawaddy plains, but with large natural levees and delta.
    (2) Almost all the soil textures of the plains of the Chao Phya, Irrawaddy and Ganges are of clay, but sandy in the Cho Shui Chi plain.
    (3) We can divide the plains of the Chao Phya, Irrawaddy and Ganges into three parts as follows: 1) natural levee and back-swamp area, 2) upper and 3) lower delta. The largest variation of the water level between dry and wet season is recognized in the natural levee and back-swamp area. State of flooding is moderate in the upper delta, and in the lower delta, flood from the sea (storm surge, etc.) predominates.
    (4) In the case of natural levee, term of inundation is short and depth of inundation is shallow. In the case of back-swamp, however term of inundation is long and depth of inundation is deep. Especially the term of inundation of the back-swamp of the Chao Phya, Irrawaddy and Ganges amounts to several months.
    Depth of inundation in back-swamps becomes deep in proportion to the relative height of natural levee. Thus the depth of inundation in back-swamps located in the upper reaches of plains is deeper than that of the lower reaches. The deepest part is seen in the plain of the Chao Phya, reaching down to the depth of about 4.5 meters. In such an area, cultivation of floating rice is a well developed agricultural practice.
    (5) Slopes of the deltas are very flat except the delta of the Cho Shui Chi. For example, that of the Chao Phya is only 0.02 to 1000.
    (6) The lower deltas along the Ganges and Irrawaddy are overed with thick forests of mangrove and others.
    Reclaimed lands are developed in the lower delta of the Cho Shui Chi. Velocity of seaward extension of the Cho Shui Chi delta is highest among these deltas.
    (7) Except the Cho Shui Chi, it takes roughly one to three months, until floods reach deltas from up-stream. Since the amount of rainfall in the plain is not enough for paddy, flood water coming from the upper reaches is quite important in these areas.
    (8) The flood of the Cho Shui Chi is very dangerous for the people. On the Contrary, flood water is beneficial to the people of the other river basins who practice irrigation.
    (9) Sea coast of the Cho Shui Chi delta is attacked by storm surges caused by occasional typhoons. But damage is not very large, because the ground is high. There are no storm surges along the sea coast of the Chao Phya delta.
    Coasts of the Ganges and Irrawaddy are attacked now and then by storm surges caused by cyclones.
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  • Hisao ITÔ
    1964Volume 37Issue 7 Pages 377-386
    Published: July 01, 1964
    Released on J-STAGE: December 24, 2008
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Once there was a prosperous age for the coastal fishing industry of Hokkaidô, when herring, salmon, trout, cod, and tangle (a kind of edible sea-weeds, Laminaria) were the major products. At present, however, the order of catch in quantity is as follows: Alaska pollack, squid, Atkamackerel, mackerel-pike, and kônago (or ikanago, Ammoclytes personatvs Girard).
    In this paper, some regional characteristics of fishing industry are examined based on the fishing statistics from 1955 to 1959. In terms of kinds, it is possible to recognize five different regions. As for fish catch, three regions are to be seen. Four separate regions are also recognized by using the record of fishermen's income.
    By summing up these three different criterias concerning fishing industry, five geographical fishing areas are established around Hokkaidô as shown in the list below. These five areas are almost in accordance with those of habitat of tangle, since this plant tends to reflect the physical environment, especially temperature, which is thought to be the major cause for differentiating fishing areas.
    A. The Paciffc East Coast. (Laminaria longissima)
    B. The Sea of Okhotsk Coast. (Laminaria ochtensio)
    C. The Pacific Central Coast. (Laminaria angastata)
    D. The Pacific West Coast. (Laminaria japonica)
    E. The Sea of Japan Coast. (Laminaria religiasa)
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  • Yutaka SAKAGOCHI
    1964Volume 37Issue 7 Pages 387-390
    Published: July 01, 1964
    Released on J-STAGE: December 24, 2008
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    By the morphometric analysis of the topographic maps of four Japanese main islands, the following results are inferred:
    1. The geomorphic history of Japan Arc is divided into three stages by the intensive up-warping.
    2. The continental shelf of Japan Arc is the former subaerial geomorphic surface. The age of this surface is far older than the Riss-Würm interglacial age.
    3. Maximum glaciation in Japan Arc took place in the Würm glacial age.
    4. The formation of the coastal plains and the lower alluvial plains in Japan Arc is the unique phenomenon during the later stage of the geomorphic history.
    5. The continental age of Japan Arc is twice during the later stage of the geomorphic history; the first during the subaerial period of the shelf, and the next during the Würm glacial age.
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  • 1964Volume 37Issue 7 Pages 391-401_2
    Published: July 01, 1964
    Released on J-STAGE: December 24, 2008
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
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