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Cape Kedo: Remnants of Boshu Stone Quarries and Rich Geological History
Location: Kedoura Inlet, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Timestamp: 9:22・2024/07/10
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP + 10-stop ND filter
ISO 100 for 3.0 sec. at ƒ/6.3
Cape Kedo, situated on the east coast of Chiba Prefecture facing the Pacific Ocean, showcases heavily eroded sea cliffs and remnants of quarried stone.
The exposed strata, dating back approximately 2.5 million years, are visible on the sea cliffs, revealing interlayers of sandstone, mudstone, turbidite, trace fossils, and various types of tuff (volcanic ash). Signs of ancient fault slips can also be seen up close on the cliff faces.
This coastal area, including Cape Kedo and numerous other capes along the Boso Peninsula, was once a bustling site of stone quarries. These quarries extracted stone from the Mineoka Ophiolite Belt, which extends from the Pacific coastline to Tokyo Bay.
The Mineoka Belt was formed by geological activity resulting from undersea volcanic activity, leading to the formation of large reservoirs of Boshu stone. This stone was ideal for crafting tombstones, stone lanterns, and large blocks used for building foundations and construction materials during the Edo Period (1603–1868).
Commodore Perry's arrival in 1853 highlighted the strategic importance of fortified coastal defenses, prompting the shogunate to source Boshu stone for artillery batteries.
In 1858, following the U.S.-Japanese Treaty of Amity and Commerce, the city of Yokohama was opened. This led to the rapid construction of foreign settlements and major port infrastructure using Boshu stone, including modern wharfs, customs structures, and piers.
Demand for Boshu stone continued to grow as Yokohama rapidly became an international port, facilitating the construction of Western-style stone buildings. Today, the cliffs of Cape Kedo stand as a testament to the region's rich geological history and its role in shaping Japan's coastal defenses and international trade.
Glossary:
- 房総半島嶺岡帯 (Bōsōhantō Mineoka-tai): Boso Peninsula Mineoka belt
- 鵜原・Ubara: coastal district in the city of Katsuura, Chiba Prefecture
- 採石場 (saisekiba): quarry:
- 嶺岡構造帯 (Mineoka kōzō-tai): Mineoka Tectonic Zone
References:
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