Aso Volcano

Updated: Apr 30, 2025 21:32 GMT - refresh

caldera

central Kyushu, Japan, 32.88°N / 131.11°E

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Summit height: 1592 m / 5,223 ft

Current status: restless (2 out of 5)

Last update: 23 May 2024 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)

The huge Aso caldera seen from space: 25 by 18 km in size, it was created by at least 4 huge eruptions between 270 to 90 thousand years ago (image: NASA Earth Observatory)

Aso (or Asosan) volcano in central Kyushu Island in southwestern Japan is one of the world's most active volcanoes. In recent years, it has been the site of frequent ash eruptions.
Aso is no single edifice, but a complex of active vents in the center of a large 24 km wide caldera.

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Aso webcams / live data | News/Updates | Earthquakes | Volcano videos | Images

Typical eruption style: explosive
Aso volcano eruptions: 2021, 2019-2020, 2016, 2014-15, 2011 (May), 2005, 2004, 2003, 1994-95, 1992-93, 1989-91, 1988, 1984-85, 1983, 1981, 1980, 1979-80, 1977-78, 1975-76, 1973-75, 1970-72, 1967-69, 1964-66, 1964, 1963-64, 1963, 1960-62, 1960, 1959, 1957-58, 1957, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953, 1952(?), 1951, 1950-51, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1946, 1945, 1943-44, 1943, 1942(?), 1940-41, 1938-39, 1937, 1936, 1935, 1934, 1932-33, 1931(?), 1930, 1928-29, 1926-28, 1925, 1923, 1920, 1919, 1918, 1916, 1914, 1911-12, 1910, 1909, 1908, 1907, 1906, 1898-99, 1897, 1894, 1884, 1874, 1872-73, 1856, 1854, 1838, 1837, 1835, 1830-32, 1830, 1829, 1828, 1827-28, 1827, 1826, 1816, 1815, 1814, 1806, 1804, 1781-88, 1772-80, 1765, 1753(?)-54, 1709, 1708(?), 1691, 1683, 1675, 1671, 1668-69, 1668, 1649, 1637, 1631, 1620, 1613, 1612, 1611, 1598-99, 1592, 1587, 1584, 1583, 1582, 1576, 1564, 1563(?), 1562, 1558-59, 1542, 1533, 1522, 1506, 1505, 1485, 1473-74, 1438, 1434, 1390(?) 1388(?), 1387, 1377, 1376, 1375-76, 1369, 1346, 1343, 1340, 1335, 1331-33, 1331, 1324, 1305, 1286, 1281, 1274, 1273, 1272, 1272, 1271, 1269, 1265, 1240, 1239, 1229, 986(?), 867, 864, 796(?), 553

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location
Apr 30, 05:49 am (GMT +9)	0.5 10.1 km	16 km (9.9 mi) to the N	Japan: NE Kumamoto Pref	Info
Apr 29, 02:55 pm (GMT +9)	0.5 8.6 km	20 km (13 mi) to the SE	Japan: Northern Miyazaki Pref	Info
Monday, April 28, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Apr 29, 01:09 am (GMT +9)	0.2 14 km	29 km (18 mi) to the W	Japan: NW Kumamoto Pref	Info
Apr 28, 04:10 pm (GMT +9)	1.3 86 km	28 km (18 mi) to the SE	Japan: Northern Miyazaki Pref	Info
Saturday, April 26, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Apr 27, 12:15 am (GMT +9)	0.1 1 km	28 km (17 mi) to the NE	Northern Oita Pref	Info
Apr 26, 04:07 pm (GMT +9)	1.0 12 km	31 km (19 mi) to the S	Japan: Southern Kumamoto Pref	Info
Friday, April 25, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Apr 26, 04:09 am (GMT +9)	0.5 7.5 km	26 km (16 mi) to the NE	Japan: Northern Oita Pref	Info
Apr 25, 09:46 am (GMT +9)	0.8 10.1 km	16 km (10.2 mi) to the NE	Japan: NE Kumamoto Pref	Info
Sunday, April 20, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Apr 20, 03:31 pm (GMT +9)	1.8 7.5 km	14 km (9 mi) to the N	Japan: NE Kumamoto Pref	Info

View recent quakes

Background

The 24-km-wide Aso caldera was formed during four major explosive eruptions from 300,000 to 90,000 years ago. These produced voluminous pyroclastic flows that covered much of Kyushu. The last of these, the Aso-4 eruption, produced more than 600 cu km of airfall tephra and pyroclastic-flow deposits. A group of 17 central cones was constructed in the middle of the caldera, one of which, Naka-dake, is one of Japan's most active volcanoes. It was the location of Japan's first documented historical eruption in 553 AD. The Naka-dake complex has remained active throughout the Holocene. Several other cones have been active during the Holocene, including the Kometsuka scoria cone as recently as about 210 AD. Historical eruptions have largely consisted of basaltic to basaltic-andesite ash emission with periodic strombolian and phreatomagmatic activity. The summit crater of Naka-dake is accessible by toll road and cable car, and is one of Kyushu's most popular tourist destinations.
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Source: GVP Aso volcano information

Aso Volcano Photos

Alaid stratovolcano, Atlasof Island, Northern Kuriles (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Alaid volcano on Atlasov Island (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

The Malia Vgethi volcano and the western cape of Methana (Krasopanagia). (Photo: Tobias Schorr)

Otherwise, the passage between Atlasof and the western coast of Paramushir Island is in fine weather. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

More photos

Significant volcanic eruptions: Aso volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Aso has had at least 172 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 159 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 15 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Aso volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Aso volcano since around 1900. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Aso can be found on the news page of Aso volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths	Damage
2021 Oct 14 - Oct 20	Historical obs./docs.	2
2019 Apr 16 - 2020 Jun 16	Historical obs./docs.	2
2016 Oct 7 - Nov 12	Nakadake Crater Historical obs./docs.	3
2016 Oct 8 (eruption 2016 Oct 7 - Nov 12)	Historical obs./docs.	0		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
2014 Aug 30 - 2016 May 1	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
2014 Jan 13 - Feb 19	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
2011 May 15 - Jun 9	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
2008 Feb 17	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
2005 Apr 14 - Aug 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
2004 Jan 14	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
2003 Jul 10 - Jul 14	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1997 Nov 23 (eruptive episode 1997 Nov 23)	Historical obs./docs.	0	2		Info
1997 Nov 23: Two men were killed by gas inhalation about 100 m south of the rim of crater #1 on November 23, 1997. No eruptive activity occurred. No eruption. (reference #9675) Cited references #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1994 May 2 - 1995 Nov 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1994 May 29 (eruption 1994 May 2 - 1995 Nov 16 ±15 d.)	Historical obs./docs.	1	1		Info
1994 May 29: A tourist died from gas inhalation. (reference #9675) Cited references #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1992 Apr 23 - 1993 Jun 10 ?	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1989 Apr 5 - 1991 Feb 9	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1990 Oct 19 (eruption 1989 Apr 5 - 1991 Feb 9)	Historical obs./docs.	2	1		Info
1990 Oct 19: A tourist died from gas inhalation. (reference #9675) Cited references #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1990 Apr 18 (eruption 1989 Apr 5 - 1991 Feb 9)	Historical obs./docs.	2	1		Info
1990 Apr 18: A tourist died from gas inhalation. (reference #9675) Cited references #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1990 Mar 26 (eruption 1989 Apr 5 - 1991 Feb 9)	Historical obs./docs.	2	1		Info
1990 Mar 26: A tourist died from gas inhalation. (reference #9675) Cited references #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1989 Feb 12 (eruption 1989 Apr 5 - 1991 Feb 9)	Historical obs./docs.	0	1		Info
1989 Feb 12: A tourist died from gas inhalation. No eruption. (reference #9675) Cited references #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1988 May 26 ±5 d. - 1989 Jan 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1984 Apr 13 ±3 d. - 1985 Jun 24	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1983 Jul 16 ±15 d. - Oct 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1981 Jun 15	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1980 Sep 24	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1979 Jun 5 ±4 d. - 1980 Mar 8	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1979 Sep 6 (eruption 1979 Jun 5 ±4 d. - 1980 Mar 8)	Historical obs./docs.	2	3		Info
1979 Sep 6: Block ejection killed 3 tourists and injured 11, near ropeway station about 850 m NNE of crater. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1977 Apr 11 - 1978 Aug 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1975 Oct 16 ±15 d. - 1976 Jan 13	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1973 Jan 16 ±15 d. - 1975 Jun 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1970 Apr 21 - 1972 Sep 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1967 May 16 ±15 d. - 1969 Dec 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1964 Oct 16 ±15 d. - 1966 Dec 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1964 May 14	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1963 Nov 10 - 1964 Jan 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1963 Apr 21 - Jul 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1960 Sep 16 ±15 d. - 1962 Nov 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1960 Jan 16 ±15 d. - Apr 9	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1959 Jul 16 ±15 d. - Oct 2	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1957 Oct 16 ±15 d. - 1958 Dec 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1957 Oct (eruption 1957 Oct 16 ±15 d. - 1958 Dec 16 ±15 d.)	Historical obs./docs.	2	12		Info
1957 Oct: 12 ropeway workers killed, 20 (JMA says 28) injured by nighttime explosion. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #1644 Japan Meteorological Agency (1975): National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan. Tokyo: Japan Meteorological Agency, 119 p (in Japanese) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1957 Apr 12	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1956 Dec 21	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1956 Aug 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1956 Jan 3 ? - Jan 13	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1955 Jul 25 - Jul 28	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1954 May 26	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1953 Dec 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1953 Apr 27 - Jul 30	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1953 Apr 27 (eruption 1953 Apr 27 - Jul 30)	Historical obs./docs.	2	6		Info
1953 Apr 27: 6 tourists killed near crater rim. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
?? 1952 Jul 2 ±182 d.	Uncertain Eruption	?
1951 May 4 - Aug 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1950 Nov 16 ±15 d. - 1951 Jan 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1949 Dec 26 - 1950 Apr 15	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1948 Apr 9 - Dec	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	1
1947 May 26 - Sep	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1946 Dec 30	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1946 Apr 29 - Jun 24	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1945 Sep 16 - Sep 19	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1943 Dec 9 - 1944 Feb	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1943 Jun 21 - Jun 24	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1942 Jun 8 - Jun 22	Uncertain Eruption	1?
1940 Apr 20 - 1941 Aug 8	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1938 - 1939 Aug 11	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1937 May 7 - May 13	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1937 Jan 13	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1936 Aug 8 - Aug 14	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1936 Feb 5	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1935 Jan 7 - Oct 8	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1934 Jul 16	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1932 Jun - 1933 Sep 28	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1931 Oct 18	Uncertain Eruption	1?
1930 Sep 3 - Sep 6	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1928 Sep 6 - 1929 Oct 23	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1926 Sep 21 - 1928 Jan 13	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1925 Jan 6	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1923 Jan - Sep 17	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1920	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1919 Apr - May	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1918 Jan 16	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1916 Apr 19	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1914 Jan 13	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1911 - 1912	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1910 Apr 3	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1909 Apr	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1908 Jan 17 - Jan 29 ?	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1907 Dec 12	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	2
1906 Jun 7	Naka-dake Historical obs./docs.	3

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 Aso volcano

1997 fatalities
2 tourists were killed by volcanic gas 100 m south of the rim of Crater 1 on 23 November 1997. Since 1980, more than 70 people have been injured by volcanic gases at Aso and have been hospitalized.

1979 fatalities
3 people were killed and 11 injured by ballistic blocks ejected by an explosion that occurred at about 1pm local time on 6 September 1979.

Aso Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Aso volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Aso occurred in 2021.

+How often does Aso volcano erupt?

Since 864 AD, Aso volcano has had at least 159 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 7.3 years.
Many eruptions of Aso have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 193 out of 1161 years until now. In other words, Aso has been active at least one in 6 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Aso is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Aso volcano at present?

Aso volcano is extremely active: Since 1900, it has been near-continuously active, showing eruptive activity during 89 years out of 126 as of now. The last eruption was in 2021 and ended 4 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Aso volcano?

The largest eruption of Aso volcano in historic times occurred in 2016. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Aso 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).