Akimoto, K. 1990. Distribution of Recent benthic foraminiferal faunas in the Pacific off southwest Japan and around Hachijojima Island. Science Reports of the Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, (Geology) 60: 139-223.
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Akimoto, K.
1990
Distribution of Recent benthic foraminiferal faunas in the Pacific off southwest Japan and around Hachijojima Island
Science Reports of the Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, (Geology
The distribution of benthic foraminifera in the Northwest Pacific Ocean off the coast of southwest Japan is investigated in order to establish a tool for analyzing paleoenvironments of Miocene strata over the Japanese Islands. In this study, four areas of the Pacific are investigated; these are Tanegashima, Kumanonada, Enshunada, and Hachijojima areas, and are located in those oceanic regions which are currently under the influence of Kuroshio Current. The method of Q-mode cluster analysis is applied to the foraminiferal distribution in each area in order to categorize foraminiferal assemblages characteristic of these four areas. The results obtained are as follows : 1) The Tanegashima and Kumanonada areas each have eight types of benthic foraminiferal assemblages, whereas the Enshunada has five. Six types of assemblages also characterize the Hachijojima area. 2) The distribution of these assemblages is basically controlled by the oceanogaaphic condition of water masses overlying each area. 3) The distribution of 13 species, which are familiar elements among the Miocene foraminiferal fauna of the South Fossa Magna region, is delineated.
