History of the inflow of the warm Tsushima Current into the Sea of Japan between 3.5 and 0.8 Ma

The stratigraphic distribution of warm-water molluscs, planktonic foraminifers and diatoms in Plio-Pleistocene strata (3.5–0.8 Ma) of the Sea of Japan coast of Japan is the basis for reconstructing the history of the Tsushima Current. The results indicate: (1) the Tsushima Current flowed at 3.5, 3.2, 2.9, 2.4 and 1.9 Ma, in the 3.5–1.7 Ma interval; (2) the current flowed at every interglacial highstand, except for MIS 25, 23 and 21.3, in the 1.71–0.8 Ma interval; (3) the salinity and volume of the Tsushima Current during the earlier interval may have been significantly lower and smaller, respectively, than in the latter interval; (4) the Late Pliocene altitude of the southern part of the Sea of Japan was up to 50 m above present-day sea level.