Aso Volcan

Updated: 1 mai 2025 01:48 GMT - refresh

caldera

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

+Heure locale:

Lever du soleil:

Coucher du soleil:

Lever de lune:

Coucher de lune:

Summit height: 1592 m / 5,223 ft

Condition actuelle: en vigilance - niveau agité (2 sur 5)

Last update: 23 mai 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

Style éruptif tipique: explosive
Eruptions du volcan Aso: 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

Derniers séismes proches

Date et l'heure	Mag / Prof.	Distance / Lieux
30 avril 05:49 (GMT +9)	0.5 10.1 km	16 km au nord	Japan: NE Kumamoto Pref	Info
29 avril 14:55 (GMT +9)	0.5 8.6 km	20 km au sud-est	Japan: Northern Miyazaki Pref	Info
lundi, 28 avril 2025 GMT (2 séismes)
29 avril 01:09 (GMT +9)	0.2 14 km	29 km à l'ouest	Japan: NW Kumamoto Pref	Info
28 avril 16:10 (GMT +9)	1.3 86 km	28 km au sud-est	Japan: Northern Miyazaki Pref	Info
samedi, 26 avril 2025 GMT (2 séismes)
27 avril 00:15 (GMT +9)	0.1 1 km	28 km au nord-est	Northern Oita Pref	Info
26 avril 16:07 (GMT +9)	1.0 12 km	31 km au sud	Japan: Southern Kumamoto Pref	Info
vendredi, 25 avril 2025 GMT (2 séismes)
26 avril 04:09 (GMT +9)	0.5 7.5 km	26 km au nord-est	Japan: Northern Oita Pref	Info
25 avril 09:46 (GMT +9)	0.8 10.1 km	16 km au nord-est	Japan: NE Kumamoto Pref	Info
dimanche, 20 avril 2025 GMT (1 séisme)
20 avril 15:31 (GMT +9)	1.8 7.5 km	14 km au nord	Japan: NE Kumamoto Pref	Info

Voir tous

Introduction

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

Stratovolcan Alaid, île Atlasof, îles Kouriles du Nord (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Volcan Alaid sur l'île Atlasov (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Le volcan Malia Vgethi et le cap occidental de Methana (Krasopanagia). (Photo: Tobias Schorr)

Par ailleurs, le passage entre Atlasof et la côte ouest de l'île Paramushir se fait par beau temps. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

More photos

Éruptions volcaniques importantes: volcano Aso

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	Morts	Dommages
2021 Oct 14 - Oct 20	Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
2019 Avr 16 - 2020 Jun 16	Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
2016 Oct 7 - Nov 12	Nakadake Crater Obs./docs historiques	3		inconnu
2016 Oct 8 (éruption 2016 Oct 7 - Nov 12)	Obs./docs historiques	0		léger	Infos
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 Août 30 - 2016 Mai 1	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
2014 Jan 13 - Fév 19	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
2011 Mai 15 - Jun 9	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
2008 Fév 17	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
2005 Avr 14 - Août 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
2004 Jan 14	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
2003 Jul 10 - Jul 14	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1997 Nov 23 (épisode éruptif 1997 Nov 23)	Obs./docs historiques	0	2	inconnu	Infos
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 Mai 2 - 1995 Nov 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1994 Mai 29 (éruption 1994 Mai 2 - 1995 Nov 16 ±15 d.)	Obs./docs historiques	1	1	inconnu	Infos
1994 Mai 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 Avr 23 - 1993 Jun 10 ?	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1989 Avr 5 - 1991 Fév 9	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1990 Oct 19 (éruption 1989 Avr 5 - 1991 Fév 9)	Obs./docs historiques	2	1	inconnu	Infos
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 Avr 18 (éruption 1989 Avr 5 - 1991 Fév 9)	Obs./docs historiques	2	1	inconnu	Infos
1990 Avr 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 (éruption 1989 Avr 5 - 1991 Fév 9)	Obs./docs historiques	2	1	inconnu	Infos
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 Fév 12 (éruption 1989 Avr 5 - 1991 Fév 9)	Obs./docs historiques	0	1	inconnu	Infos
1989 Fév 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 Mai 26 ±5 d. - 1989 Jan 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1984 Avr 13 ±3 d. - 1985 Jun 24	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1983 Jul 16 ±15 d. - Oct 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1981 Jun 15	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1980 Sep 24	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1979 Jun 5 ±4 d. - 1980 Mar 8	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1979 Sep 6 (éruption 1979 Jun 5 ±4 d. - 1980 Mar 8)	Obs./docs historiques	2	3	inconnu	Infos
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 Avr 11 - 1978 Août 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1975 Oct 16 ±15 d. - 1976 Jan 13	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1973 Jan 16 ±15 d. - 1975 Jun 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1970 Avr 21 - 1972 Sep 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1967 Mai 16 ±15 d. - 1969 Déc 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1964 Oct 16 ±15 d. - 1966 Déc 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1964 Mai 14	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1963 Nov 10 - 1964 Jan 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1963 Avr 21 - Jul 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1960 Sep 16 ±15 d. - 1962 Nov 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1960 Jan 16 ±15 d. - Avr 9	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1959 Jul 16 ±15 d. - Oct 2	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1957 Oct 16 ±15 d. - 1958 Déc 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1957 Oct (éruption 1957 Oct 16 ±15 d. - 1958 Déc 16 ±15 d.)	Obs./docs historiques	2	12	inconnu	Infos
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 Avr 12	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1956 Déc 21	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1956 Août 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1956 Jan 3 ? - Jan 13	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1955 Jul 25 - Jul 28	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1954 Mai 26	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1953 Déc 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1953 Avr 27 - Jul 30	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1953 Avr 27 (éruption 1953 Avr 27 - Jul 30)	Obs./docs historiques	2	6	inconnu	Infos
1953 Avr 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.	Éruption incertaine	?		inconnu
1951 Mai 4 - Août 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1950 Nov 16 ±15 d. - 1951 Jan 16 ±15 d.	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1949 Déc 26 - 1950 Avr 15	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1948 Avr 9 - Déc	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	1		inconnu
1947 Mai 26 - Sep	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1946 Déc 30	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1946 Avr 29 - Jun 24	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1945 Sep 16 - Sep 19	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1943 Déc 9 - 1944 Fév	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1943 Jun 21 - Jun 24	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
?? 1942 Jun 8 - Jun 22	Éruption incertaine	1?		inconnu
1940 Avr 20 - 1941 Août 8	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1938 - 1939 Août 11	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1937 Mai 7 - Mai 13	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1937 Jan 13	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1936 Août 8 - Août 14	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1936 Fév 5	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1935 Jan 7 - Oct 8	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1934 Jul 16	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1932 Jun - 1933 Sep 28	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
?? 1931 Oct 18	Éruption incertaine	1?		inconnu
1930 Sep 3 - Sep 6	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1928 Sep 6 - 1929 Oct 23	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1926 Sep 21 - 1928 Jan 13	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1925 Jan 6	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1923 Jan - Sep 17	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1920	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1919 Avr - Mai	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1918 Jan 16	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1916 Avr 19	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1914 Jan 13	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1911 - 1912	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1910 Avr 3	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1909 Avr	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1908 Jan 17 - Jan 29 ?	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1907 Déc 12	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	2		inconnu
1906 Jun 7	Naka-dake Obs./docs historiques	3		inconnu

Plus

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 du volcan Aso

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.

Dernières images satellite

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Derniers images satellite

Aso Volcan Cartes

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).