Landform characteristics and erosional processes of cone karst in subtropical Ryukyu Islands, Japan

通过对分布于亚热带琉球群岛不同地质时代的石灰岩形成的锥形岩溶的地貌特征和侵蚀过程的调查，探讨了锥形岩溶的形成机制。根据石灰岩形成时代的不同，锥形岩溶的地貌特征也不同。这些差异与石灰岩的性质有关。受降雨影响，石灰岩表面温度下降较快，可能存在热风化作用。锥形岩溶是由溶蚀、物理风化和侵蚀作用形成的。

Cone karst formation mechanism was examined by surveying landform characteristics and erosional processes of cone karst made of various geological age limestone distributed in subtropical Ryukyu Islands. Depend on limestone formation age, landform characteristics of cone karst are defferent. These differences are related to limestone properties. Limestone surface temperature reduce quickly due to rainfall, this suggests possibility of thermal weathering. Cone karst are formed by solution, physical weathering and erosion.