Coseismic subsidence due to yoro fault activity detected in the holocene delta sequence of the western nobi plain, central Japan: An example of off-fault paleoseismological study in the coastal plain

Coastal plains have been formed by the influence of sea-level changes, tectonic vertical displacement and fluvial process during the Holocene. Thus, the Holocene coastal sediments can record the information about tectonic vertical displacement (e.g., coseismic subsidence). In addition, these records can be reconstructed with high temporal resolution because of application of radiocarbon dating. Based on the timing of tectonic vertical displacement recorded in the Holocene coastal sediments, paleoseismicity can be also reconstructed. In this chapter, we review the results of paleoseismic study based on the detection and timing of coseismic subsidence recorded in the Holocene delta sequence in the Nobi plain, central Japan. Firstly, we will introduce whole image of the Holocene delta sequence on the Nobi plain influenced by sea-level changes. Secondly, we will present the results of detection of coseismic subsidence in the western part of the plain during the past 6,000 years. Additionally, we review the results of reconstruction of paleoseismicity on the Yoro fault fringing the Nobi plain, based on the results of detection of coseismic subsidence.