The stratigraphy, chronology and distribution of distal marker-tephras in and around Japan

This paper forms an overview of Japanese tephrochronology with emphasis on the role of distal tephras in Quaternary studies. Recent developments in tephra characterisation techniques and dating methods have provided fruitful results in the correlation and identification of many Japanese tephras. Since the middle 1970s, many distal tephras have been discovered occurring both in the Japan islands and the surrounding seas. This has resulted in the introduction, revision and refinement of regional stratigraphy, the application of tephra in determining the nature and effects of explosive eruptions, and new applications to many aspects of Quaternary studies. Ongoing tephra research is fed into tephra catalogue for the Japan region giving fundamental data for land–sea correlation and for establishment of chronostratigraphic framework for Japanese Quaternary studies.