Volcans au Japon (546)

Accéder à: Éruptions FAQ Séismes Actualités

Japan has over 100 active volcanoes, more than almost any other country and accounts alone for about 10 % of all active volcanoes in the world. The volcanoes belong to the Pacific Ring of Fire, caused by subduction zones of the Pacific plate beneath continental and other oceanic plates along its margins.
Japan's volcanic arcs and tectonic setting
Japan is located at the junction of 4 tectonic plates - the Pacific, Philippine, Eurasian and North American plates, and its volcanoes are mainly located on 5 subduction-zone related volcanic arcs where the Pacific Plate descends under the North American Plate along the Kuril Trench and the Japan Trench and underneath the Philippine Sea Plate along the Izu-Bonin Trench. The Philippine Plate itself subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate at the western end, forming the Ryukyu Trench. The principal resulting volcanic ars are:
- Ryukyu Arc and Southwest Honshu Arcs in the south (Philippine plate subducting beneath between the Eurasian Plate),
- Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc (subduction of Pacific plate beneath Philippine plate)
- Northeast Honshu and Kurile Arc in the north (subduction of Pacific plate beneath the N-American plate)
(more info: www.glgarcs.net/intro/subduction.html)

Besides intense volcanic activity, Japan is one of the places in the world most affected by frequent, and sometimes devastatingly large earthquakes. Its oceanic setting makes it vulnerable for tsunamis as well, as the tragedy of the 11 March 2011 8.9 earthquake and tsunami terrifyingly illustrated.

Record in historically documented eruptions
Japan's first documented historical eruption was from Aso volcano in 553 AD , the year after Buddhism was introduced from Korea. It holds a record in the number of historically documented eruptions.
Japan's largest historical eruption (Towada, 915 AD), 17 Japanese volcanoes had been documented in eruption, more than the rest of the world combined (including 10 in Europe).

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Hokkaido (52 volcans)

Honshu (140 volcans)

Izu Islands (21 volcans)

Kyushu (26 volcans)

Îles Ryūkyū (14 volcans)

Volcano Islands (19 volcans)

Éruptions volcaniques importantes: Japon

In historic times, at least 66 volcanoes have been active au Japon, including Kikai, Iwo-jima et Nishino-shima volcanoes. A total of 953 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since autour 654 AD.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events au Japon since around 2010.

Date	Volcan	VEI	Région	Morts	Dommages
2017 Mar 25 - en cours	Sakurajima Minamidake summit crater	2	Kyushu, Japan		inconnu
2004 Oct 23 - en cours	Suwanose-jima O-take	2	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2024 Sep 1 - Oct 17	Kikai	?	Japon		inconnu
2023 Oct 18 - 2024 Mar 16	Iwo-jima	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2022 Oct 1 - 2023 Oct 13	Nishino-shima Central cone of 2013 island	2	Volcano Islands, Japan		inconnu
2022 Août 18 - 2023 Jan 26	Kaitoku	0	Volcano Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2022 Jul 11 - Déc 11	Iwo-jima Off SE coast	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2022 Mar 27	Kita-Ioto Funka-Asane	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2021 Août 12 - Nov 24	Iwo-jima Off SE coast	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2021 Oct 14 - Oct 20	Aso	2	central Kyushu, Japan		inconnu
2021 Août 13 - Sep 12 ?	Fukutoku-Okanoba	4	Volcano Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2021 Août 14 - Août 15	Nishino-shima Central cone of 2013 island	2	Volcano Islands, Japan		inconnu
2020 Déc 28 - 2021 Avr 5 ?	Iwo-jima Asodai Sinkhole	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2020 Oct 6	Kikai	1	Japon		inconnu
2020 Août 29	Kuchinoerabu-jima	1	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2019 Déc 5 - 2020 Août 27	Nishino-shima Central cone of 2013 island	1	Volcano Islands, Japan		inconnu
2019 Avr 16 - 2020 Jun 16	Aso	2	central Kyushu, Japan		inconnu
2020 Jan 11 - Mai 13	Kuchinoerabu-jima	3	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2020 Avr 29	Kikai	1	Japon		inconnu
2019 Nov 2	Kikai	2	Japon		inconnu
2019 Août 7 - Août 25	Asama	2	Honshu (Japan)		inconnu
2018 Oct 21 - 2019 Fév 3	Kuchinoerabu-jima Shindake Crater	3	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2018 Jul 12 - Jul 21	Nishino-shima Central cone of 2013 island	1	Volcano Islands, Japan		inconnu
2018 Mar 1 - Jun 27	Kirishima Shinmoedake	3	Kyushu (Japan)		inconnu
2018 Jan 23	Kusatsu-Shirane Motoshiranesan	1	Honshu (Japan)		inconnu
2018 Jan 23	Kusatsu-Shirane	1	Honshu (Japan)	1	léger	Infos
A volcano in Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo, erupted on Tuesday morning, leaving one dead and 11 injured by falling rocks. Japan's Meteorological Agency says large volcanic tremors were detected at Mount Kusatsu-Shirane at around 10 AM. Volcanic rocks were confirmed in the area more than one kilometer from the volcano's crater. Some of the rocks fell when Ground Self-Defense Force members were training at a nearby ski resort. Eight of the members were hit by rocks. One died and the rest were injured. Four skiers were also injured when rocks shattered the windows of a ropeway gondola. Local authorities say about 80 people who were stuck at a gondola station near the summit have been safely rescued. Weather officials have raised the volcanic alert level to 3, and are warning people not to approach the volcano. The Self-Defense Forces initially said people were injured when an avalanche hit the ski resort, but later said the injuries were due to falling volcanic rocks. They added that they had not confirmed an avalanche. (All above from reference #11997) JMA reported that at 0959 on 23 January an eruption began at Kusatsu-Shiranesan coincident with the onset of volcanic tremor; there were no indications of an impending eruption. The Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-5). Skiers at the popular ski resort Kusatsu Kokusai took video showing a plume of tephra and ejected bombs rising from a vent on the Motoshiranesan edifice, about 2 km SSE of Yagama Crater on Shiranesan (where all previous historical activity has been). The eruption also caused what appeared to be an avalanche. Photos and video posted in news articles showed tephra drifting E and blanketing the nearby hillside; JMA noted ashfall in Nakanojo-machi, in the Gunma Prefecture. Tephra hit a gondola, shattering glass and injuring four skiers. Material crashed through the roof of a lodge, where about 100 people had already been evacuated. Ground Self-Defense Force troops were engaging in ski training at the time of the event; one member died and seven others were injured. Emergency responders gathered at the Sanroku Station to assist. On 24 January JMA noted that volcanic earthquakes were numerous but decreasing in number, and two 2-3-minute-long periods of volcanic tremor were detected at 1015 and 1049. (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/). #11997 NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) (2018): Volcanic eruption in Gunma kills 1, injures 11. Published 23 January 2018. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180123_33/ Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2017 Oct 11 - Oct 17	Kirishima Shinmoedake	2	Kyushu (Japan)		inconnu
2017 Avr 18 ±1 d. - Août 17 ±6 d.	Nishino-shima Central cone of 2013 island	2	Volcano Islands, Japan		inconnu
2016 Oct 7 - Nov 12	Aso Nakadake Crater	3	central Kyushu, Japan		inconnu
2016 Oct 8 (éruption 2016 Oct 7 - Nov 12)	Aso	0	central Kyushu, Japan		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
2016 Août 31 - Sep 1	Iwo-jima Asodai Sinkhole	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)		inconnu
1955 Oct 13 - 2016 Août 22	Sakurajima Minami-dake and east flank (Showa crater)	3	Kyushu, Japan		inconnu
2014 Août 30 - 2016 Mai 1	Aso Naka-dake	2	central Kyushu, Japan		inconnu
2013 Nov 20 - 2015 Nov 17 ?	Nishino-shima Vent SSE of existing Nishinoshima	2	Volcano Islands, Japan		inconnu
2015 Août 7	Iwo-jima Kianohana Beach (N part of the island)	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2015 Jun 29 - Jul 1	Hakone Owakudani hot springs, 1 km N of Kamiyama dome	1	Honshu (Japan)		inconnu
2015 Jun 16 - Jun 19	Asama Summit crater	1	Honshu (Japan)		inconnu
2015 Mai 29 - Jun 19	Kuchinoerabu-jima Shindake crater	3	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2014 Sep 27 - Oct 14	Ontake-san Summit crater	3	Honshu (Japan)		inconnu
2014 Sep 27 (éruption 2014 Sep 27 - Oct 14)	Ontake-san	3	Honshu (Japan)	55	inconnu	Infos
2014 Sep 27: 24 September-30 September 2014 According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, an unexpected phreatic eruption at Ontakesan occurred at 1152 on 27 September after an 11-minute period of tremor and uplift detected just minutes beforehand. The eruption produced a pyroclastic flow that traveled more than 3 km down the S flank and an ash plume that rose 7-10 km and drifted E. Ashfall was extensive in the area and up to 50 cm thick near the craters. The Alert Level was raised to 3. Earthquakes near the summit had temporarily increased during 10-11 September, and low-frequency signals were detected on 14 September. News articles on 1 October noted that 47 people had died, most of them found at the summit area while others were at a slightly lower elevation. Almost 70 more people were injured. Survivors described falling ash and boulders, and being in total darkness for several minutes as they made their way down the flanks. The volcano is popular to climb and nearly 300 people were hiking on the mountain that day. Seismicity fluctuated but remained elevated during 28 September-1 October. Ash-and-gas plumes rose 300-400 m above the craters and drifted E and SE. 1 October-7 October 2014 JMA reported that ash emissions from Ontakesan likely continued during 1-7 October. The plume height could not be determined due to poor visibility although on 7 October observers noted that the plume rose 300 m above the crater rim and drifted E. Seismic levels fluctuated; tremor continued to be detected. A news article from 8 October noted that the number of people killed in the 27 September eruption had reached 55; nine were still missing. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5). (above from 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/). #11096 The Straits Times (2014): 2 more bodies found in the ash on erupted Japan volcano Mount Ontake. Published on OCT 7, 2014 12:30 PM. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2014 Août 3	Kuchinoerabu-jima Shindake	1	Ryukyu Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2014 Jan 13 - Fév 19	Aso Naka-dake	1	central Kyushu, Japan		inconnu
2013 Jun 4	Kikai Iodake	1	Japon		inconnu
2012 Déc 1 - 2013 Avr 11	Iwo-jima Asodai	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2012 Fév 10 - Jul 9	Iwo-jima Asodai	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2011 Jan 19 - Sep 7	Kirishima Shinmoe-dake	3	Kyushu (Japan)		inconnu
2011 Mai 15 - Jun 9	Aso Naka-dake	1	central Kyushu, Japan		inconnu
2011 Jan 28 (éruption 2011 Jan 19 - Sep 7)	Kirishima	0	Kyushu (Japan)		léger	Infos
2011 Jan 28: Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak), a stratovolcano of the Kirishima volcano group, erupted for the first time in 52 years on Jan. 27, 2011 according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). On Feb. 1 an eruption smashed more than 180 window panes in hospitals and schools about six kilometers from the crater, injuring a 92 year-old woman.. The eruption was the strongest on February 2, according to the JMA. The weather agency maintained a level 3 alert for Shinmoedake and Sakurajima volcano, 45 kilometers (28 miles) to the southwest, indicating an eruption may seriously affect places near residential areas. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) #9261 Biggs, Stuart (2011): Japan's 'OO7' Volcano on Kyushu Erupts for Ninth Time in a Week, JMA Says. Bloomberg. Downloaded from: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-03/japan-s-oo7-volcano-erupts-for-ninth-time-after-52-year-dormancy.html Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2010 Avr 10 - Jul 21	Miyake-shima Summit crater	1	Izu Islands (Japan)		inconnu
2010 Mar 30 - Jul 10	Kirishima Shinmoe-dake	1	Kyushu (Japan)		inconnu
2010 Fév 3 - Avr 8 ?	Fukutoku-Okanoba Submarine site	1	Volcano Islands (Japan)		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

Japon FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption au Japon?

The last volcanic eruption au Japon was from Kikai volcano in 2024.

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption au Japon?

The first historically documented eruption occurred autour 654 AD from Oshima volcano.

+How often do volcanoes au Japon erupt?

Since 654 AD, Japon has seen at least 953 historically documented eruptions. This means that a volcano erupts on average every 1.4 years.

+How active are the volcanoes au Japon?

Japon is volcanically extremely active: Since 1900, at least 47 volcanoes au Japon have been active. Every year, at least one volcano has been in eruption au Japon. The last volcano to erupt au Japon was Kikai volcano, which erupted in 2024, 8 months ago.

+When was the largest volcanic eruption au Japon?

The largest eruption au Japon in historic times was from Shikotsu volcano. It occurred in 1739. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 5 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

Derniers séismes: Japan

Au cours des 7 derniers jours, Japan a eu 1 séisme de magnitude 5.0, 13 séismes de magnitude 4+, 45 séismes de magnitude 3+ et 240 séismes de magnitude 2+. Il y a eu aussi 2,619 séismes petits inférieurs de magnitude 2.0 que les gens ne peuvent normalement pas ressentir.

Un Magnitude 4.5 séisme a été ressenti en préfecture de Chiba, Japon .

Magnitude 4.5 Séisme préfecture de Chiba, Japon widely felt -

Date et l'heure	Mag / Prof.	Volcan le plus proche / Lieux
14 juin 19:47 (GMT +9)	5.0 55 km	107 km E de Narugo	Océan Pacifique Nord, 59 km à l'est de Ishinomaki, Japon I FELT IT - 4 reports	Info
14 juin 13:21 (GMT +9)	4.6 10 km	123 km E de Tori-shima	Izu Islands, Japan Region I FELT IT	Info
vendredi, 13 juin 2025 GMT (1 séisme)
13 juin 15:18 (GMT +9)	4.5 66 km	114 km NE de Hakone	6.5 km à l'est de Chiba, préfecture de Chiba, Japon I FELT IT - 38 reports	Info
jeudi, 12 juin 2025 GMT (1 séisme)
12 juin 12:49 (GMT +9)	4.9 10 km	124 km SO de Kozushima	Mer des Philippines, 124 km au sud-ouest de Kozu Shima , Japon I FELT IT - 1 report	Info
mercredi, 11 juin 2025 GMT (2 séismes)
12 juin 05:59 (GMT +9)	4.7 162 km	25 km E de Mokuyo	Bonin Islands, Japan Region I FELT IT	Info
11 juin 18:30 (GMT +9)	4.6 38 km	127 km S de Akan	Océan Pacifique Nord, 75 km au sud de Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japon I FELT IT	Info

Voir séismes récents

Tremblements de terre importants au Japon depuis 1900

Le tremblement de terre le plus meurtrier au Japon depuis 1900 était le séisme de magnitude 7.9 au

Japon, préfecture de Kanagawa le septembre, 1, 1923. Cela a fait 142,807 de décès et 47,000 blessés. La plupart des dégâts causés par le séisme sont dus au tsunami qui a suivi le séisme. Le tsunami a atteint des hauteurs allant jusqu'à 13 m. C'était le 11. séisme le plus meurtrier de l'histoire de l'humanité et le séisme le plus désastreux jamais enregistré au Japon.
La plupart des victimes et des dégâts sont dus au tsunami qui a suivi le séisme. Le tsunami a atteint des hauteurs allant jusqu'à 39 m. C'était le 4. séisme le plus désastreux jamais enregistré au Japon. Ce fut également le tremblement de terre le plus dévastateur survenu dans cette période : les pertes économiques totales ont été estimées à l'équivalent de $220 milliards de dollars américains. Plus que 2,470 des maisons et autres bâtiments ont été détruits et presque 5,620 endommagés.

Date	Mag	Région	Morts	Dommages
2024 Jan 1	7.5	Honshu Ishikawa	463	catastrophique	Info
2016 Apr 15	7.0	Kumamoto, Oita	273	catastrophique	Info
2011 Mar 11	9.1	Honshu	18,428	catastrophique	Info
1995 Jan 16	6.9	Sw Honshu Kobe, Awaji-shima, Nishinomiya	6,434	catastrophique	Info
1993 Jul 12	7.7	Hokkaido; Russia Southeast; South Korea	231	catastrophique	Info
1983 May 26	7.7	Honshu Akita	104	très lourd	Info
1982 Mar 21	6.7	Hokkaido, Urakawa, Hiroo	110	léger	Info
1958 Mar 11	7.5	Ryukyu Islands	50-100 (*)	inconnu	Info
1948 Jun 28	7.3	Fukui	5,131	catastrophique	Info
1946 Dec 20	8.3	Honshu S Coast	1,362	très lourd	Info
1945 Jan 12	7.1	Honshu S	2,306	très lourd	Info
1944 Dec 7	8.1	Off Southeast Coast Kii Peninsula	1,223	lourd	Info
1943 Sep 10	7.4	Honshu S	1,400	très lourd	Info
1933 Mar 2	8.4	Sanriku	3,022	très lourd	Info
1930 Nov 25	7.1	Honshu Idu	259	très lourd	Info
1927 Mar 7	7.3	Honshu Sw	3,022	lourd	Info
1925 May 23	6.8	Honshu Tajima	395	très lourd	Info
1923 Sep 1	7.9	Tokyo, Yokohama	142,807	très lourd	Info
1914 Mar 15	7.2	Senhoku	94	lourd	Info

(*) Chiffres estimés

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

All Quakes in History

Carte

Les séismes les plus anciens (jusqu'à 1960) indiqués en jaune, les plus récents (à partir de 2000) en rouge.

[séismes -] [séismes +] [plus petit] [plus gros]

Tremblements de terre importants au Japon FAQ

+Quel a été le séisme le plus meurtrier au Japon depuis 1900?

Le tremblement de terre le plus meurtrier au Japon depuis 1900 était le séisme de magnitude 7.9 au Japon, préfecture de Kanagawa le septembre, 1, 1923. Cela a fait 142,807 de décès et 47,000 blessés. La plupart des dégâts causés par le séisme sont dus au tsunami qui a suivi le séisme. Le tsunami a atteint des hauteurs allant jusqu'à 13 m. C'était le 11. séisme le plus meurtrier de l'histoire de l'humanité et le séisme le plus désastreux jamais enregistré au Japon.

+Quel est le tremblement de terre qui a causé le plus de dégâts au Japon depuis 1900?

Le tremblement de terre qui a causé le plus de dégâts a été le séisme de magnitude 9.1 au Japon le mars, 11, 2011. Cela a causé 18,428 de décès et estimées $220 milliards de dollars américains (l'équivalent d'aujourd'hui) en dommages économiques totaux.

+Combien de personnes ont été tuées par les tremblements de terre au Japon depuis 1900?

Depuis 1900, au moins 79 tremblements de terre ont causé un total estimé de 190,000 décès au Japon.

+Combien de dégâts les tremblements de terre ont-ils causés au Japon depuis 1900?

Il y a eu 141 séismes causant morts ou dommages significatifs au cours de cette période. Ensemble, ils ont causé des pertes économiques d'env. $432 milliards de dollars américains.

Japan's volcanic arcs and tectonic setting

Map of volcanoes in Japan (USGS)

Japan is located at the junction of 4 tectonic plates - the Pacific, Philippine, Eurasian and North American plates, and its volcanoes are mainly located on 5 subduction-zone related volcanic arcs where the Pacific Plate descends under the North American Plate along the Kuril Trench and the Japan Trench and underneath the Philippine Sea Plate along the Izu-Bonin Trench. The Philippine Plate itself subducts beneath the Eurasian Plate at the western end, forming the Ryukyu Trench. The principal resulting volcanic ars are:
- Ryukyu Arc and Southwest Honshu Arcs in the south (Philippine plate subducting beneath between the Eurasian Plate),
- Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc (subduction of Pacific plate beneath Philippine plate)
- Northeast Honshu and Kurile Arc in the north (subduction of Pacific plate beneath the N-American plate)

Besides intense volcanic activity, Japan is one of the places in the world most affected by frequent, and sometimes devastatingly large earthquakes. Its oceanic setting makes it vulnerable for tsunamis as well, as the tragedy of the 11 March 2011 8.9 earthquake and tsunami terrifyingly illustrated.

Record in historically documented eruptions
Japan's first documented historical eruption was from Aso volcano in 553 AD , the year after Buddhism was introduced from Korea. It holds a record in the number of historically documented eruptions.
Japan's largest historical eruption (Towada, 915 AD), 17 Japanese volcanoes had been documented in eruption, more than the rest of the world combined (including 10 in Europe).

Useful Links:

www.seisvol.kishou.go.jp/tokyo/STOCK/monthly_v-act_doc/monthly_vact.htm - the Japanese Meteorological Agency provides a list of status reports, press releases and VAAC ash alerts for all monitored volcanoes in Japan (Japanese)
Landforms and Geology in Japan (GLGArcs) - a wonderful overview about Japan's geology, tectonic setting and volcanism, with excellent graphics

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Dernières nouvelles

mer., 11 juin 2025, 14:00

Suwanosejima volcano (Japan) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 4 June-10 June 2025 (Continuing Activity)

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that eruptive activity at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 2-9 June. Incandescence was observed nightly in webcam images. No explosions were detected, though ash-and-gas emissions were continuous during 4-7 June. ... Tout lire

mer., 11 juin 2025, 14:00

Aira volcano (Japan) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 4 June-10 June 2025 (Continuing Activity)

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera's Sakurajima volcano) during 2-9 June. Nighttime crater incandescence was visible during 2-6 June. An explosion at 2341 on 2 June produced an ash plume that rose into weather clouds and ejected large blocks 300-1,000 m from the crater rim. ... Tout lire

ven., 6 juin 2025, 20:15