Cold region Quaternary science for earth surface processes and environmental changes

Abstract

This paper reviews recent (from 2000 to 2016) progress in cold region Quaternary science studies undertaken by Japanese researchers in domestic and overseas sites. Studies on glacial processes, periglacial processes, and landslide processes have progressed during the past 17 years, and many peer-reviewed papers have been published in national and international journals. However, the current robust growth does not seem likely to continue for the next several decades due to aging and depopulation of researchers in this field. In addition, it was found that the Quaternary Research (Daiyonki-kenkyu), a periodical journal of the Japan Association for Quaternary Research (JAQUA), has not been chosen by researchers as a venue for publishing research papers. A major struc-tural reform of JAQUA seems to be necessary. Outreach and educational programs are also required to attract new members to JAQUA.