NAGO, Okinawa Prefecture--Researchers have found rare stalagmites containing coral fragments in a cave off Cape Henoko, where the government plans to relocate an air base from another part of this southernmost prefecture.
But construction work in the surrounding area could have an environmental impact on this valuable resource, according to Kensaku Urata, vice chairman of the Speleological Society of Japan.
“Limestone caves are very delicate and fragile,” Urata said. “We should immediately conduct an investigation to decide whether to preserve the cave.”
Crustacean researchers stumbled upon the coral-encrusted stalagmites in a limestone cave on uninhabited Nagashima island, about 800 meters off Cape Henoko, in June.
“Stalagmites to which coral fragments are attached are rare globally,” Urata said. “This is the first such discovery in Japan.”
Nagashima island is located east of the off-limits area designated for the construction work for relocating U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan. The government last week started a seabed study for the project.
Experts estimate that coral fragments entered the limestone cave through a hole created by waves due to rising seas following the ice age.
By studying the coral fragments, scientists are able to determine the times of changes in the level of the sea.
According to scientists, a 50-centimeter-high stalagmite can provide insights into climate change over tens of thousands of years.
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