How many volcanoes have erupted in Japan in recent times?

In historic times, at least 66 volcanoes have been active in Japan, including Kikai, Iwo-jima, and Nishino-shima volcanoes. A total of 953 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since around 654 AD.

When was the last volcanic eruption in Japan?

The last volcanic eruption in Japan was from Kikai volcano in 2024.

When was the first documented volcanic eruption in Japan?

The first historically documented eruption occurred around 654 AD from Oshima volcano .

How often do volcanoes in Japan erupt?

Since 654 AD, Japan has seen at least 953 historically documented eruptions. This means that a volcano erupts on average every 1.4 years.

How active are the volcanoes in Japan?

Japan is volcanically extremely active: Since 1900, at least 47 volcanoes in Japan have been active. Every year, at least one volcano has been in eruption in Japan. The last volcano to erupt in Japan was Kikai volcano , which erupted in 2024, 13 months ago.

When was the largest volcanic eruption in Japan?

The largest eruption in Japan in historic times was from Shikotsu volcano . It occurred in 1739. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 5 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

Which was the deadliest earthquake in Japan since 1900?

The deadliest earthquake in Japan since 1900 was the magnitude 7.9 earthquake in Japan, Kanagawa on Sep, 1, 1923. It resulted in 142,807 fatalities and 47,000 injured people. Most of earthquake damage resulted from the tsunami that followed the quake. The height of the tsunami waves reached 13 m (43 ft). This was the 11th deadliest quake known in history and the most disastrous quake in Japan ever recorded.

Which was the earthquake that caused most damage in Japan since 1900?

The earthquake that caused most damage was the magnitude 9.1 earthquake in Japan on Mar, 11, 2011. It caused 18,428 fatalities and estimated $220 billion US Dollars (today's equivalent) in total economic damage.

How many people were killed by earthquakes in Japan since 1900?

Since 1900, at least 79 earthquakes claimed an estimated total of 190,000 fatalities in Japan.

How much damage did earthquakes cause in Japan since 1900?

There were 141 damaging or deadly quakes during this period that caused economic losses of approx. $432 billion US Dollars combined.

Volcanoes, Eruptions and Earthquakes in Japan - Facts and Information

Date	Volcano	VEI	Region	Deaths	Damage
2004 Oct 23 - ongoing	Suwanose-jima O-take	2	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)
2017 Mar 25 - ongoing	Sakurajima Minamidake summit crater	2	Kyushu, Japan
2024 Sep 1 - Oct 17	Kikai	?	Japan
2023 Oct 18 - 2024 Mar 16	Iwo-jima	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)
2022 Oct 1 - 2023 Oct 13	Nishino-shima Central cone of 2013 island	2	Volcano Islands, Japan
2022 Aug 18 - 2023 Jan 26	Kaitoku	0	Volcano Islands (Japan)
2022 Jul 11 - Dec 11	Iwo-jima Off SE coast	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)
2022 Mar 27	Kita-Ioto Funka-Asane	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)
2021 Aug 12 - Nov 24	Iwo-jima Off SE coast	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)
2021 Oct 14 - Oct 20	Aso	2	central Kyushu, Japan
2021 Aug 13 - Sep 12 ?	Fukutoku-Okanoba	4	Volcano Islands (Japan)
2021 Aug 14 - Aug 15	Nishino-shima Central cone of 2013 island	2	Volcano Islands, Japan
2020 Dec 28 - 2021 Apr 5 ?	Iwo-jima Asodai Sinkhole	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)
2020 Oct 6	Kikai	1	Japan
2020 Aug 29	Kuchinoerabu-jima	1	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)
2019 Dec 5 - 2020 Aug 27	Nishino-shima Central cone of 2013 island	1	Volcano Islands, Japan
2019 Apr 16 - 2020 Jun 16	Aso	2	central Kyushu, Japan
2020 Jan 11 - May 13	Kuchinoerabu-jima	3	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)
2020 Apr 29	Kikai	1	Japan
2019 Nov 2	Kikai	2	Japan
2019 Aug 7 - Aug 25	Asama	2	Honshu (Japan)
2018 Oct 21 - 2019 Feb 3	Kuchinoerabu-jima Shindake Crater	3	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)
2018 Jul 12 - Jul 21	Nishino-shima Central cone of 2013 island	1	Volcano Islands, Japan
2018 Mar 1 - Jun 27	Kirishima Shinmoedake	3	Kyushu (Japan)
2018 Jan 23	Kusatsu-Shirane Motoshiranesan	1	Honshu (Japan)
2018 Jan 23	Kusatsu-Shirane	1	Honshu (Japan)	1	light	Info
A volcano in Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo, erupted on Tuesday morning, leaving one dead and 11 injured by falling rocks. Japan's Meteorological Agency says large volcanic tremors were detected at Mount Kusatsu-Shirane at around 10 AM. Volcanic rocks were confirmed in the area more than one kilometer from the volcano's crater. Some of the rocks fell when Ground Self-Defense Force members were training at a nearby ski resort. Eight of the members were hit by rocks. One died and the rest were injured. Four skiers were also injured when rocks shattered the windows of a ropeway gondola. Local authorities say about 80 people who were stuck at a gondola station near the summit have been safely rescued. Weather officials have raised the volcanic alert level to 3, and are warning people not to approach the volcano. The Self-Defense Forces initially said people were injured when an avalanche hit the ski resort, but later said the injuries were due to falling volcanic rocks. They added that they had not confirmed an avalanche. (All above from reference #11997) JMA reported that at 0959 on 23 January an eruption began at Kusatsu-Shiranesan coincident with the onset of volcanic tremor; there were no indications of an impending eruption. The Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-5). Skiers at the popular ski resort Kusatsu Kokusai took video showing a plume of tephra and ejected bombs rising from a vent on the Motoshiranesan edifice, about 2 km SSE of Yagama Crater on Shiranesan (where all previous historical activity has been). The eruption also caused what appeared to be an avalanche. Photos and video posted in news articles showed tephra drifting E and blanketing the nearby hillside; JMA noted ashfall in Nakanojo-machi, in the Gunma Prefecture. Tephra hit a gondola, shattering glass and injuring four skiers. Material crashed through the roof of a lodge, where about 100 people had already been evacuated. Ground Self-Defense Force troops were engaging in ski training at the time of the event; one member died and seven others were injured. Emergency responders gathered at the Sanroku Station to assist. On 24 January JMA noted that volcanic earthquakes were numerous but decreasing in number, and two 2-3-minute-long periods of volcanic tremor were detected at 1015 and 1049. (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #11997 NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) (2018): Volcanic eruption in Gunma kills 1, injures 11. Published 23 January 2018. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180123_33/ Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2017 Oct 11 - Oct 17	Kirishima Shinmoedake	2	Kyushu (Japan)
2017 Apr 18 ±1 d. - Aug 17 ±6 d.	Nishino-shima Central cone of 2013 island	2	Volcano Islands, Japan
2016 Oct 7 - Nov 12	Aso Nakadake Crater	3	central Kyushu, Japan
2016 Oct 8 (eruption 2016 Oct 7 - Nov 12)	Aso	0	central Kyushu, Japan		light	Info
2016 Oct 8: Reporters were allowed to inch closer to the Nakadake peak of Mount Aso on Feb. 8 [2017] after the alert level was lowered to 1 the day before. The media were allowed within a kilometer of the No. 1 crater of the peak, which erupted in October 2016. The eruption, the most violent in 36 years, sent a towering plume of smoke and ash into the sky. After the eruption in October, a station building for a ropeway was half-buried in a vast amount of ash and its roof destroyed. (reference #11756) Weekly Report 12 October 18 October 2016: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that no further explosions were detected after the 7-8 October eruption at Asosans Nakadake Crater; white plumes rose as high as 400 m above the crater rim during 11-17 October. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5). (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #11756 The Asahi Shimbun (2017): Media allowed nearer Kyushu volcano to inspect damage. Published February 9, 2017 at 16:35 JST by TAZUKO GOTO/ Staff Writer. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2016 Aug 31 - Sep 1	Iwo-jima Asodai Sinkhole	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)
1955 Oct 13 - 2016 Aug 22	Sakurajima Minami-dake and east flank (Showa crater)	3	Kyushu, Japan
2014 Aug 30 - 2016 May 1	Aso Naka-dake	2	central Kyushu, Japan
2013 Nov 20 - 2015 Nov 17 ?	Nishino-shima Vent SSE of existing Nishinoshima	2	Volcano Islands, Japan
2015 Aug 7	Iwo-jima Kianohana Beach (N part of the island)	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)
2015 Jun 29 - Jul 1	Hakone Owakudani hot springs, 1 km N of Kamiyama dome	1	Honshu (Japan)
2015 Jun 16 - Jun 19	Asama Summit crater	1	Honshu (Japan)
2015 May 29 - Jun 19	Kuchinoerabu-jima Shindake crater	3	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)
2014 Sep 27 - Oct 14	Ontake-san Summit crater	3	Honshu (Japan)
2014 Sep 27 (eruption 2014 Sep 27 - Oct 14)	Ontake-san	3	Honshu (Japan)	55		Info
2014 Sep 27: 24 September-30 September 2014 According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, an unexpected phreatic eruption at Ontakesan occurred at 1152 on 27 September after an 11-minute period of tremor and uplift detected just minutes beforehand. The eruption produced a pyroclastic flow that traveled more than 3 km down the S flank and an ash plume that rose 7-10 km and drifted E. Ashfall was extensive in the area and up to 50 cm thick near the craters. The Alert Level was raised to 3. Earthquakes near the summit had temporarily increased during 10-11 September, and low-frequency signals were detected on 14 September. News articles on 1 October noted that 47 people had died, most of them found at the summit area while others were at a slightly lower elevation. Almost 70 more people were injured. Survivors described falling ash and boulders, and being in total darkness for several minutes as they made their way down the flanks. The volcano is popular to climb and nearly 300 people were hiking on the mountain that day. Seismicity fluctuated but remained elevated during 28 September-1 October. Ash-and-gas plumes rose 300-400 m above the craters and drifted E and SE. 1 October-7 October 2014 JMA reported that ash emissions from Ontakesan likely continued during 1-7 October. The plume height could not be determined due to poor visibility although on 7 October observers noted that the plume rose 300 m above the crater rim and drifted E. Seismic levels fluctuated; tremor continued to be detected. A news article from 8 October noted that the number of people killed in the 27 September eruption had reached 55; nine were still missing. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5). (above from reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #11096 The Straits Times (2014): 2 more bodies found in the ash on erupted Japan volcano Mount Ontake. Published on OCT 7, 2014 12:30 PM. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2014 Aug 3	Kuchinoerabu-jima Shindake	1	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)
2014 Jan 13 - Feb 19	Aso Naka-dake	1	central Kyushu, Japan
2013 Jun 4	Kikai Iodake	1	Japan
2012 Dec 1 - 2013 Apr 11	Iwo-jima Asodai	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)
2012 Feb 10 - Jul 9	Iwo-jima Asodai	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)
2011 Jan 19 - Sep 7	Kirishima Shinmoe-dake	3	Kyushu (Japan)
2011 May 15 - Jun 9	Aso Naka-dake	1	central Kyushu, Japan
2011 Jan 28 (eruption 2011 Jan 19 - Sep 7)	Kirishima	0	Kyushu (Japan)		light	Info
2011 Jan 28: Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak), a stratovolcano of the Kirishima volcano group, erupted for the first time in 52 years on Jan. 27, 2011 according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). On Feb. 1 an eruption smashed more than 180 window panes in hospitals and schools about six kilometers from the crater, injuring a 92 year-old woman.. The eruption was the strongest on February 2, according to the JMA. The weather agency maintained a level 3 alert for Shinmoedake and Sakurajima volcano, 45 kilometers (28 miles) to the southwest, indicating an eruption may seriously affect places near residential areas. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) #9261 Biggs, Stuart (2011): Japan's 'OO7' Volcano on Kyushu Erupts for Ninth Time in a Week, JMA Says. Bloomberg. Downloaded from: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-03/japan-s-oo7-volcano-erupts-for-ninth-time-after-52-year-dormancy.html Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2010 Apr 10 - Jul 21	Miyake-shima Summit crater	1	Izu Islands (Japan)
2010 Mar 30 - Jul 10	Kirishima Shinmoe-dake	1	Kyushu (Japan)
2010 Feb 3 - Apr 8 ?	Fukutoku-Okanoba Submarine site	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Nearest Volcano / Location
Nov 28, 10:40 pm (Universal Time)	4.8 19 km	160 km (99 mi) SE of Nakano-shima	142 km SSE of Koshima, Japan I FELT IT	Info
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Nov 27, 01:43 am (GMT +9)	4.9 79 km	103 km (64 mi) S of Akan	56 km SSE of Shiranuka, Japan I FELT IT - 1 report	Info
Nov 26, 07:55 pm (GMT +8)	4.5 262 km	299 km (186 mi) W of Io-Torishima	246 km N of Hirara, Japan I FELT IT - 4 reports	Info
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Nov 25, 06:01 pm (GMT +9)	5.4 10 km	14 km (8.7 mi) W of Kuju	Kumamoto, 50 km southwest of Oita, Oita Prefecture, Japan I FELT IT - 32 reports	Info
Nov 25, 04:59 pm (GMT +9)	4.7 10 km	215 km (134 mi) E of Nasu	North Pacific Ocean, 154 km east of Mito, Ibaraki, Japan I FELT IT	Info
Saturday, November 22, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Nov 22, 06:06 pm (GMT +9)	4.9 10 km	169 km (105 mi) E of Sumisujima	Izu Islands, Japan Region I FELT IT	Info

Date	Mag	Region	Deaths	Damage
2024 Jan 1	7.5	Honshu Ishikawa	463	catastrophic	Info
2016 Apr 15	7.0	Kumamoto, Oita	273	catastrophic	Info
2011 Mar 11	9.1	Honshu	18,428	catastrophic	Info
1995 Jan 16	6.9	Sw Honshu Kobe, Awaji-shima, Nishinomiya	6,434	catastrophic	Info
1993 Jul 12	7.7	Hokkaido; Russia Southeast; South Korea	231	catastrophic	Info
1983 May 26	7.7	Honshu Akita	104	very heavy	Info
1982 Mar 21	6.7	Hokkaido, Urakawa, Hiroo	110	light	Info
1958 Mar 11	7.5	Ryukyu Islands	50-100 (*)	unknown	Info
1948 Jun 28	7.3	Fukui	5,131	catastrophic	Info
1946 Dec 20	8.3	Honshu S Coast	1,362	very heavy	Info
1945 Jan 12	7.1	Honshu S	2,306	very heavy	Info
1944 Dec 7	8.1	Off Southeast Coast Kii Peninsula	1,223	heavy	Info
1943 Sep 10	7.4	Honshu S	1,400	very heavy	Info
1933 Mar 2	8.4	Sanriku	3,022	very heavy	Info
1930 Nov 25	7.1	Honshu Idu	259	very heavy	Info
1927 Mar 7	7.3	Honshu Sw	3,022	heavy	Info
1925 May 23	6.8	Honshu Tajima	395	very heavy	Info
1923 Sep 1	7.9	Tokyo, Yokohama	142,807	very heavy	Info
1914 Mar 15	7.2	Senhoku	94	heavy	Info

Sakurajima Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: ERUPTED AT 20251128/0432Z FL070 EXTD SE OBS VA DTG: 28/0430Z

Friday, Nov 28, 2025 | 1 day ago · VN

Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Tokyo (VAAC) issued the following report:

FVFE01 at 04:43 UTC, 28/11/25 …Open article

Kusatsu-Shiranesan Volcano (Japan) activity update Nov 26, 2025 - Unrest

Thursday, Nov 27, 2025 | 1 day ago · VN

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that unrest continued at Kusatsu-Shiranesan between 24 November 2025 (local) and 26 November 2025 (local). The alert level remained at "Level 2 - Restric…

Sakurajima Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: VA CONTINUOUSLY OBS IN SATELLITE IMAGERY OBS VA DTG: 26/2320Z to 14000 ft (4300 m)

Thursday, Nov 27, 2025 | 2 days ago · VN

Satellite image of Sakurajima volcano on 27 Nov 2025

Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Tokyo warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 14000 ft (4300 m) altitude or flight level 140 and is moving at 15 k…Open article

Sakurajima Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: EXPLODED AT 20251126/1723Z OVER FL070 STNR OBS VA DTG: 26/1720Z

Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025 | 2 days ago · VN

Satellite image of Sakurajima volcano on 26 Nov 2025

Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Tokyo (VAAC) issued the following report:

FVFE01 at 17:34 UTC, 26/11/25 …Open article

Aira (Sakurajima) Volcano (Japan) – Activity Report 19–25 Nov 2025 (Continuing Activity)

Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025 | 2 days ago · VN

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 17-24 November with 25 eruptive events and eight explosions. Nightly crater incandescence was visible in webcam images. Sulfur dioxide emissions were characterized…