Coastal evolution at a rapidly uplifting volcanic island: Iwo-jima, western pacific ocean

Abstract Iwo-jima is the emergent part of a large submarine volcano on the Izu-Ogasawara island arc. Approximately 25 marine terraces form the major geomorphic components of the island. These have been formed in response to rapid domal uplift and marine abrasion, both of which may have been irregular in time and in space. The oldest marine terrace at about 110 m above sea-level has an age of 500–800 14 C BP, indicating an average uplift rate of 150–200 mm/year. Surrounding the island is a ca. 1 km wide wave-cut and wave-built platform less than 15 m deep. Marine planation has maintained the platform at nearly the same level despite rapid uplift.