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Akan Volcano

Updated: Jun 13, 2025 00:03 GMT -
caldera
Hokkaido (Japan), 43.38°N / 144.01°E
Summit height: 1499 m / 4,918 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 13 Dec 2021 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)

Akan volcano (阿寒岳, Akan-dake) is one of Hokkaido's most active volcanoes. Akan consists of a large 24 x 13 km diameter caldera and a group of younger partly Holocene andesite cones. The highest point of the complex is the Mount Meakan (1499 m) stratovolcano.
The frequent historic eruptions occurred all from the Me-Akan group, east of Lake Akan. Me-Akan volcano (雌阿寒岳 Meakan-dake) consists of 9 overlapping cones. Its summit has 3 craters.
Me-Akan has had at least 17 small phreatic eruptions since the beginning of the 19th century and from geologic studies it is known that there were at least 4 major magmatic eruptions with pyroclastic flows have occurred in prehistoric time during the past 10,000 years.

Lake Akan is part of the Akan National Park. It is known for a rare green algae (marimo) which can grow to about the size of a soccer ball. The only town around the lake is the resort of Akankohan known for its hot springs and the "bokke", bubbling mud pools found at the lakeshore.

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Typical eruption style: explosive
Akan volcano eruptions: 2008, 2006, 1988, 1966, 1965, 1964, 1962, 1960, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1951(?)-52, 1927 (?), 1808 (?), 1800

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and TimeMag / DepthDistance / Location
Jun 3, 10:30 pm (GMT +9)
1.1

5.5 km
19 km (12 mi) to the NE Japan: Teshikaga Region Info
Friday, May 30, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
May 31, 07:43 am (GMT +9)
1.1

94 km
29 km (18 mi) to the S Japan: Kushiro Region Info
May 31, 12:33 am (GMT +9)
0.9

3.3 km
18 km (11 mi) to the NE Japan: Teshikaga Region Info

Background

The Akan caldera is located immediately SW of Kutcharo caldera and has an elonogated, irregular shape due to several caldera-forming explosive eruptions between the early and mid Pleistocene.
Growth of 3 post-caldera stratovolcanoes, 3 at the SW end of the caldera and the other at the NE side, has reduced the size of the caldera lake. The conical O-Akan volcano was frequently active during the Holocene. The 1-km-wide Nakamachineshiri crater of Me-Akan volcano was formed during a major pumice-and-scoria eruption about 13,500 years ago.

Akan Volcano Photos

Significant volcanic eruptions: Akan volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Akan has had at least 35 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 19 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Akan volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Akan volcano since around 1700. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Akan can be found on the news page of Akan volcano.
DateNoteVEIDeathsDamage
2008 Nov 18 - Nov 28Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
2006 Mar 21NE flank of Me-Akan
Historical obs./docs.
1
1998 Nov 9Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1996 Nov 21Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri crater no. 4)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1988 Jan 5 - Feb 18 ?Me-Akan (SE rim of Ponmachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1984 May 1Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1966 Jun 15 ±5 d.Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1965 May 15 ±5 d.Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1964 Jun 18 - Jul 4 ?Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1962 Apr 28Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1960 Sep 16 ±15 d.Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1959 May 15 ±5 d. - Oct 16 ±15 d.Me-Akan (Naka- and Ponmachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1958 Feb 23Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1957 Feb 26 - Sep 5Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1956 Mar 18 - Oct 31Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1955 Nov 19Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
1954 Jan 7 ? - Apr 13Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri)
Historical obs./docs.
1
?? 1951 Jul 31 - 1952 Mar 16 ±15 d.
Uncertain Eruption
1
?? 1927 Apr - May
Uncertain Eruption
1
1808 ?Me-Akan
Historical obs./docs.
?
1780 ±75 y.Me-Akan
Historical obs./docs.
1
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

Eruptions of Akan volcano



2008 eruption
Tremor was recorded on 17 November 2008. A small ash eruption occurred on 18 November, and was later detected by a fresh deposit of ash on snow in up to 400 m distance from the Ponmachineshiri crater. Another ash eruption occurred on 28 November, producing a small ash plume reaching 2 km altitude.
(Source: Smithsonian / GVP monthly reports)

2006 eruption
A small eruption occurred from a vent on the NE flank of Meakan on 21 March 2006. Ashfall was observed 10 km SE of the volcano.

1998 eruption
A small ash eruption occurred from Meakan volcano on 9 November 1998.

1996 eruption
A small phreatic eruption occurred on 21 November 1996.

Akan Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Akan volcano?

+How often does Akan volcano erupt?

+How active is Akan volcano at present?

+When was the largest eruption of Akan volcano?

Latest satellite images

Akan satellite image sat1Akan satellite image sat2

Akan 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).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of few kilometers)
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Wed, 28 Nov 2018, 06:00

Akan volcano (Hokkaido, Japan) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 28 November-4 December 2018 (New Activity / Unrest)

JMA reported that the number of earthquakes with shallow hypocenters and epicenters near Ponmachineshiri Crater, a summit crater of Me-Akan (also known as Meakan-dake, which means Meakan Peak) of the Akan volcanic complex, increased at 1800 on 20 November. Another seismic increase occurred on 23 November, in number and amplitude of events, prompting JMA to raise the Alert Level to 2 (the second lowest level on a 5-level scale). ... Read all
Fri, 23 Nov 2018, 05:42

Akan volcano (Hokkaido, Japan) activity update: Alert level raised

A new earthquake swarm is occurring at the Meakandake cone so JMA has raised the alert level to 2. A similar event occurred 3 years ago. The last eruption was in 2008. ... Read all

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