Pliocene and pleistocene volcanism in Southern Kyushu

Southern Kyushu has been the site of intense volcanism at least since Pliocene time. One of the characteristics is the prevalence of large scale pyroclastic flow eruption, most of which originated from the volcano-tectonic depression now occupied by Kagoshima Bay. The deposits of these pyroclastic flows cover wide areas, serving as excellent stratigraphic marker horizons, but the radiometric age of the volcanic rocks in the area has been hardly available so far. A sample of Isaku pyroclastic flow was taken from an abandoned quarry. Ushine andesite, Fumoto pyroclastic flow, Ushine basalt and Ushine rhyolite were collected from a 300 m high cliff toward the top from the bottom. Kiyoura horn-blende andesite was collected from the southeastern foot of Yaeyama. K-Ar age was determined for these rocks. It was indicated that from 2 to 3 Ma (i.e., million years) ago, large scale pyroclastic eruption had taken place in the northern part of Kagoshima Bay, and extensive andesitic to basaltic volcanism occurred in both Ushine and Yaeyama areas. The establishment of the volcanic stratigraphy in the areas must await until more radiometric age determination becomes available. (Kako, I.)