Geographical Review of Japan Series B 

About: Geographical Review of Japan Series B is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Metropolitan area. It has an ISSN identifier of 1347-9555. Over the lifetime, 353 publications have been published receiving 1661 citations.

Late Quaternary Sedimentary Environment and Landform Evolution in the Bengal Lowland.

Abstract: The author subdivided the recent sediments and discussed the landforms and sedimentary envir onment in the Bengal Lowland based on the analysis of the sediments . The recent sediments are subdivided into five members , and the sealevel curve in the region is similar to so-called \"Sheperd curve\" with regression during a certain period between ca .12,000 and 10,000yBP. During the maximum epoch of the last glacial age , the rivers flowing in the Bengal Lowland deposited gravels on the valley floors . After the period, the sea level rose up to about 45 m below present level, and the lower member deposited by ca . 12,000yBP. During ca.12,000 and 10,000yBP, the delta and flood plain surface was slightly dissected according to the regression of the sealevel. After the regression, the middle member characterized by fine sediments in the deltaic condition deposited. The upper member deposited during 10,000 (or 8,000) yBP and 6,000 (5,000) yBP. After ca. 5,000yBP, broad peat land or wet land developed widely in the Bengal Lowland .

Geomorphology and Quaternary History of the Australian Continental Dunefields

Abstract: This summary paper forms part of a Japanese-Australian research project on human impact in the Australian semi-arid and arid zone. The dunefields are introduced in their various geologic and geomorphic settings and the sources and types of dune sands are then examined. The chro nology of dune building is detailed from the earliest evidence of aeolian activity. This is followed by a reconstruction of the palaeoenvironment of the last dune building phases, an assessment of the impact of Aboriginal burning, and a concluding sketch of the impact of European settlement.

Last glacial paleoclimate reconstructed from glacial and periglacial landforms in Japan.

Abstract: Paleoclimate during the Last Glacial age was reconstructed from glacial and periglacial landforms in Japan. Both the summer air temperature and the winter precipitation were the major controlling factors for the glaciation in the Japanese high mountains. Because of the change of paleogeography of the Japan Sea, which was caused by the sea-level changes, the fluctuation of the amount of snowfall must have been large. Mountain glaciation attained to its maximum between about 60,000 and 40,000 y.B.P., when the warm current still entered into the Japan Sea. The glacial extension was much more limited between 30,000 and 10,000 y.B.P., when the Japan Sea had been almost isolated from the outer ocean. Distributions of the glacial landforms, both horizontal and vertical, indicate that the winter monsoon had basically the westerly direction during the Last Glacial age. That is also verified by the distribution of fossil periglacial phenomena. The latter was used for the reconstruction of winter and annual mean air temperatures. Decrease of the summer monsoon precipitation was evidenced by tracing of the valley filling with debris which indicates a considerable diminution of river discharge during the Last Glacial age. Location of the polar front during the Last Glacial age was inferred together with the southern limit of sea ice and the distri bution of permafrost. Decrease of the summer air temperature and the effect of snowfall on the glaciation were discussed by comparing the altitude of the present and Last Glacial snowlines.

Cognitive Maps, Spatial Abilities, and Human Wayfinding

Abstract: In this paper we discuss the relations between cognitive maps, spatial abilities and human wayfinding, particularly in the context of traveling without the use of sight. Initially we discuss the nature of cognitive maps and the process of cognitive mapping as mechanisms for developing person to object (egocentric) and object to object (allocentric) internal representations. Imperfections in encoding either relations can introduce imperfections in representations of environments in memory. This, together with individual differences in human spatial abilities, can result in data manipulations that produce error. When information stored in long term memory is brought into working memory for purposes of decision making and choice behavior (as in route selection), the result may be the selection of an inefficient or incorrect path. We explore the connection between environmental learning and cognitive maps in the context of learning a route in two different cultural environments-Belfast (Northern Ireland) and Santa Barbara (California). Blind, vision impaired, and sighted volunteers traveled and learned routes of approximately the same length (1.2miles) in their respective urban environments. An initial trial was experimenter guided; three following trials were regarded as “test” trials where the participants learned the route and performed route fixing tasks including pointing between designated places, verbally describing the route after each completion, and building a model of the route using metallic strips on a magnetic board. Results indicated that by the end of the third test trial, and using the reinforcing strategies, the results of the blind or vision impaired participants could not be statistically differentiated from those of the sighted participants. This indicated that the wayfinding abilities of the three groups were equivalent in this experiment and suggested that spatial abilities were potentially the same in each group but that lack of sight interfered with putting knowledge into action.