History of the inflow of the warm Tsushima Current into the Sea of Japan at 3.5-0.8 Ma

Abstract

Stratigraphic distribution of warm-water molluscs, planktonic foraminifers and diatoms from Plio-Pleistocene strata (3.5-0.8 Ma) of the Sea of Japan coast of Japan was studied to reconstruct the history of the Tsushima Current. The results indicate: (1) the Tsushima Current flowed at 3.5, 3.2, 2.9, 2.4 and 1.9 Ma during 3.5-1.7 Ma; (2) the current flowed at every interglacial highstand, except for MIS 25, 23 and 21.3, during 1.71-0.8 Ma; (3) salinity and volume of the Tsushima Current during the early interval may be significantly lower and smaller than those during the latter interval; (4) the late Pliocene elevation of the southern part of the Sea of Japan was up to 50 m above present-day sea level.

Key words: Sea of Japan, Tsushima Current, Plio-Pleistocene, planktonic foraminifera, molluscs, diatoms

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