Nishino-shima Volcano

Updated: Nov 8, 2025 22:00 GMT - refresh

caldera, submarine volcano

Volcano Islands, Japan, 27.27°N / 140.88°E

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Summit height: approx 70 m / 215 ft (currently growing)

Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5)

Last update: 6 Nov 2024 (new aerial images)

Nishi-no-shima on 18 Oct 2015 (Japanese Coast Guard)

Nishinoshima volcano (西之島, Nishi-no-shima meaning literally: Western Island, also: Rosario Island) is the tiny submerged part of a caldera in the northern Volcano Islands of Japan. The small 700 m wide island was significantly enlarged during the last eruption in 1974, which joined several new islands that formed then.
Water discoloration due to possible minor eruptions and / or shallow submarine hydrothermal activity in the area is a frequent sight.
The mostly submerged volcano is a massive seamount with prominent flank cones on the south, west and NE flanks. The southern cone rises to a depth of 214 m below the sea surface, 9 km SSE of Nishinoshima.

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Nishino-shima webcams / live data | News/Updates | Earthquakes

Typical eruption style: explosive
Nishino-shima volcano eruptions: 2019-ongoing, 2017, 2013-15, 1985(?), 1982(?), 1980(?), 1978(?), 1975(?), 1973-74

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Nishino-shima volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Nishino-shima has had at least 7 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations.
Additionally, there are 8 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Nishino-shima volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Nishino-shima volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Nishino-shima can be found on the news page of Nishino-shima volcano.

Date	Note	VEI
2022 Oct 1 - 2023 Oct 13	Central cone of 2013 island Historical obs./docs.	2
2021 Aug 14 - Aug 15	Central cone of 2013 island Historical obs./docs.	2
2019 Dec 5 - 2020 Aug 27	Central cone of 2013 island Historical obs./docs.	1
2018 Jul 12 - Jul 21	Central cone of 2013 island Historical obs./docs.	1
2017 Apr 18 ±1 d. - Aug 17 ±6 d.	Central cone of 2013 island Historical obs./docs.	2
2013 Nov 20 - 2015 Nov 17 ?	Vent SSE of existing Nishinoshima Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 2001 Jan 16 ±15 d.	Uncertain Eruption	0
?? 1986 Jul 2 ±182 d. - 1990 Jul 2 ±182 d.	Uncertain Eruption	0
?? 1985 Dec 2	Uncertain Eruption	0
?? 1983 Jul 2 ±182 d. - 1984 Jul 2 ±182 d.	Uncertain Eruption	0
?? 1982 Apr 16 ±15 d.	Uncertain Eruption	0
?? 1980 Jul 7 - 1981 ?	Uncertain Eruption	0
?? 1978 Nov 16 - 1979 ?	Uncertain Eruption	0
?? 1975 Jul 2 ±182 d. - 1977 Jul 2 ±182 d.	Uncertain Eruption	0
1973 Apr 12 - 1974 May 5 ±4 d.	Vent SE of existing Nishinoshima Historical obs./docs.	2

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Nishino-shima Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Nishino-shima volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Nishino-shima occurred during 2022 - 2023.

+How often does Nishino-shima volcano erupt?

There are no known historic eruptions, but evidence from geologic records shows that it has had at least 7 eruptions over the past 10,000 years. This number is likely much higher because many past eruptions might not have left evidence recognizeable today and/or the volcano might not have been studied in too much detail. Using the available data, a very conservative estimate is that Nishino-shima volcano erupts every 1,400 years.

+How active is Nishino-shima volcano at present?

Nishino-shima volcano is infrequently active: Since 1900, it has had 12 eruptions, and been active during 12 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Nishino-shima has been in eruption one in 10.5 years on average. The last eruption was from 2022 until 2023 and ended 2 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Nishino-shima volcano?

The largest eruption of Nishino-shima volcano in historic times occurred during 2022 - 2023. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Nishino-shima Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).