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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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 Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / 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
View over the crater of Mt Ontake volcano on Suwanose-jima; Nakano-jima island in the background to the NE. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
View of Mt Ontake stratovolcano of Nakano-jima volcano, Suwanose-jima's neighbor to the northeast. A gas plume can be seen rising from the summit crater, suggesting the v...
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.
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.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| NE flank of Me-Akan Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri crater no. 4) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (SE rim of Ponmachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Naka- and Ponmachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Ponmachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Me-Akan (Nakamachineshiri) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 1 | |||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 1 | |||
| Me-Akan Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| 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)
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.
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.
A small ash eruption occurred from Meakan volcano on 9 November 1998.
1996 eruption
A small phreatic eruption occurred on 21 November 1996.
A small phreatic eruption occurred on 21 November 1996.
Akan Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Akan volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Akan occurred in 2008.
+How often does Akan volcano erupt?
Since 1780, Akan volcano has had at least 19 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 12.9 years.
+How active is Akan volcano at present?
Akan volcano is relatively active: Since 1900, it has had 17 eruptions, and been active during 17 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Akan has been in eruption one in 7.4 years on average. The last eruption was in 2008 and ended 17 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Akan volcano?
The largest eruption known from the younger geological history of Akan volcano occurred in 50 BC. It only has a VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) of 1, likely because it was a mainly effusive eruption generating lava flows but very little ash.
Latest satellite images
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)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-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)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-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)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-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)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-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)
Terrain-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 20-40 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)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Akan volcano (scale of few kilometers)
