Depositional processes of circular abandoned channels around the middle parts of the Kumano River, Southwest Japan

Nakanishi, Toshimichi*; Komatsu, Tetsuya; Ogata, Manabu; Kawamura, Makoto; Yasue, Kenichi*

Gekkan Chikyu "Kiso deta Kara Kangaeru Dai Yonkigaku No Shintenkai-I" Gogai No.71, p.148 - 155, 2022/02

The formation process of terrace topography was investigated by observing and analyzing boring core samples collected in the middle reaches of the Kumano River. It was assumed that the older terrace topography was distributed higher than the current riverbed surface. However, since tributary debris flow deposits may be thickly distributed beneath the old gyre river valley, care must be taken when using the surface of the ground as an index of uplift and erosion.

Provenance analysis using rapid quantification of heavy minerals via EPMA; A Case study in the Horonobe region, Hokkaido, northern Japan

Yonaga, Yusuke; Sano, Naomi*; Amamiya, Hiroki*; Ogita, Yasuhiro; Niwa, Masakazu; Yasue, Kenichi*

Oyo Chishitsu, 62(1), p.2 - 12, 2021/04

Provenance analysis based on quick identification of heavy minerals using an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) was applied to samples from Pleistocene sediments in Horonobe region, Hokkaido, where major provenance rocks can be sedimentary and mafic igneous rocks. The concentrations of 16 elements were measured in individual grains to identify the mineral species based on their chemical composition. In addition, microscopic observation of thin sections and gravel composition analysis were conducted to confirm the validity of the quick identification of heavy minerals. These analyses clarify that combinations of several heavy mineral species can be a useful index of provenance rocks from the Soya Hill and Teshio Mountains, and suggest that uplift of the Soya Hill after ca. 1.5 Ma constrained supply of sediments from the Teshio Mountains. On the other hand, minerals uncommon both in the Soya Hill and Teshio Mountains, such as hornblende, are included in the Pleistocene sediments. This suggests that a sediment supply from distant area was also significant, like transportation by the Teshio River. The method for quick identification of heavy minerals using EPMA can provide an information about provenance rocks difficult to identify only by gravel composition analysis.

Development of evaluation method for variability of groundwater flow conditions associated with long-term topographic change and climate perturbations

Onoe, Hironori; Kosaka, Hiroshi*; Matsuoka, Toshiyuki; Komatsu, Tetsuya; Takeuchi, Ryuji; Iwatsuki, Teruki; Yasue, Kenichi

Genshiryoku Bakkuendo Kenkyu (CD-ROM), 26(1), p.3 - 14, 2019/06

https://doi.org/10.3327/jnuce.26.1_3

In this study, it is focused on topographic changes due to uplift and denudation, also climate perturbations, a method which is able to assess the long-term variability of groundwater flow conditions using the coefficient variation based on some steady-state groundwater flow simulation results was developed. Spatial distribution of long residence time area which is not much influenced due to long-term topographic change and recharge rate change during the past one million years was able to estimate through the case study of the Tono area, Central Japan. By applying this evaluation method, it is possible to identify the local area that has low variability of groundwater flow conditions due to topographic changes and climate perturbations from the regional area quantitatively and spatially.

Annual report for research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste in fiscal year 2016

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Yasue, Kenichi*; Asamori, Koichi; Kokubu, Yoko; Niwa, Masakazu; Watanabe, Takahiro; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Fujita, Natsuko; Saiga, Atsushi; Shimizu, Mayuko; et al.

JAEA-Research 2018-008, 83 Pages, 2018/12

JAEA-Research-2018-008.pdf:11.43MB

This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 2nd fiscal year during the JAEA 3rd Mid- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2015-2021) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of the high-level radioactive waste. The planned framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques. In this paper, the current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.

Fission track dating of faulting events accommodating plastic deformation of biotites

Sueoka, Shigeru; Shimada, Koji; Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Niwa, Masakazu; Yasue, Kenichi; Umeda, Koji*; Danhara, Toru*; Iwano, Hideki*

Journal of Geophysical Research; Solid Earth, 122(3), p.1848 - 1859, 2017/03

http://doi.org/10.1002/2016JB013522

no abstracts in English

Annual report for research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste in fiscal year 2015

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Umeda, Koji*; Yasue, Kenichi; Kokubu, Yoko; Niwa, Masakazu; Asamori, Koichi; Watanabe, Takahiro; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Fujita, Natsuko; Shimizu, Mayuko; et al.

JAEA-Research 2016-023, 91 Pages, 2017/02

JAEA-Research-2016-023.pdf:13.33MB

This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 1st fiscal year during the JAEA 3rd Mid- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2015-2021) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of the high-level radioactive waste. The planned framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques. In this paper, the current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.

Research plan on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste (Scientific programme for fiscal year 2016)

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Yasue, Kenichi; Kokubu, Yoko; Niwa, Masakazu; Asamori, Koichi; Watanabe, Takahiro; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Fujita, Natsuko; Shimizu, Mayuko; Hama, Yuki

JAEA-Review 2016-016, 44 Pages, 2016/08

JAEA-Review-2016-016.pdf:2.28MB

This report is a plan of research and development (R&D) on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in JAEA, in fiscal year 2016. The objectives and contents in fiscal year 2016 are described in detail based on the outline of 7 years plan (fiscal years 2015-2021). Background of this research is clarified with the necessity and the significance for site investigation and safety assessment, and the past progress in this report. In addition, the plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques.

Cooling and denudation history of the Tsuruga body of Kojaku granite, southwest Japan, constrained from multi-system thermochronology

Sueoka, Shigeru; Umeda, Koji; Yasue, Kenichi; Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Danhara, Toru*; Iwano, Hideki*; Yagi, Koshi*

Chigaku Zasshi, 125(2), p.201 - 219, 2016/04

https://doi.org/10.5026/jgeography.125.201

We applied multi-system thermochronology to the Tsuruga body of the Kojaku granite to constrain the cooling/denudation history of the Tsuruga area. Based on the thermochronometric results and other data, we reconstructed the cooling and denudation histories of the Tsuruga body as below: (1) the Tsuruga body intruded at c.a. 68 Ma at the depth of 4-5 km, (2) rapidly cooled down to c.a. 200C by heat conduction within a few million years or less, and (3) slowly cooled due to peneplanation during the Cenozoic. This cooling/denudation history is consistent with the observations that cataclasite and fault gouge are dominant in the crush zones of the Tsuruga body, that similar slow cooling histories over the Cenozoic are estimated in the surrounding areas based on thermochronometric ages, and that the amount of denudation in the last few million years in the Tsuruga area is inferred at less than several hundred meters from the elevations of the uplifted peneplains.

Thermal constraints on clay growth in fault gouge and their relationship with fault-zone evolution and hydrothermal alteration; Case study of gouges in the Kojaku Granite, Central Japan

Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Tamura, Hajimu*; Shibata, Kenji*; Sueoka, Shigeru; Yasue, Kenichi; Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Umeda, Koji*

Clays and Clay Minerals, 64(2), p.86 - 107, 2016/04

https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.2016.0640202

no abstracts in English

Research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste; Scientific programme for fiscal years 2015-2021

Umeda, Koji; Yasue, Kenichi; Kokubu, Yoko; Niwa, Masakazu; Asamori, Koichi; Fujita, Natsuko; Shimizu, Mayuko; Shimada, Akiomi; Matsubara, Akihiro; Tamura, Hajimu; et al.

JAEA-Review 2015-012, 43 Pages, 2015/08

JAEA-Review-2015-012.pdf:1.24MB

The concept of geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in Japan is based on a multibarrier system which combines a stable geological environment with an engineered barrier system. Potential geological host formations and their surroundings are chosen, in particular, for their long-term stability, taking into account the fact that Japan is located in tectonically active zone. This report is to outline 7 years plan (fiscal years 2015-2021) of research and development (R&D) for geosphere stability for long-term isolation of the HLW in JAEA. Background of this research is clarified with the necessity and the significance, and the past progress in this report. The objectives, outline, contents and schedule during the next 7 years are described in detail. In addition, the plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and Systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques.