Iwaki Volcano

Updated: Jul 5, 2025 20:09 GMT - refresh

stratovolcano

Honshu (Japan), 40.65°N / 140.31°E

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Summit height: 1625 m / 5,331 ft

Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)

Iwaki (or Iwakisan) volcano is a large symmetrical stratovolcano and the NW-most active volcano in Honshu, Japan. Because of its shape, it has been called the Fuji-san of the Tsugaru district.
Iwaki contains a 2-km-wide summit crater which is filled by a lava dome flanked by 6explosion craters. 3 lava domes are found on the western and southern flanks of the andesitic volcano. Historical eruptions have been reported at Iwaki since 1600 AD and have consisted primarily of small-to-moderate phreatic explosions.

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News/Updates | Earthquakes

Typical eruption style: explosive
Iwaki volcano eruptions: 1863, 1856 (?), 1848 (?), 1845, 1844, 1833 (?), 1807 (?), 1800, 1794 (?), 1793 (?), 1790, 1783 (?), 1782-83, 1782 (?), 1769?, 1709 (?), 1694 (?), 1672 (?), 1618, 1605 (?), 1604, 1600, 1600, 1597 (?), 1597 (?), 550 BC ± 500, 1050 BC (?), 4050 BC (?), 8050 BC (?)

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location
Jul 5, 02:06 am (GMT +9)	1.1 12 km	14 km (8.9 mi) to the E	Japan: Western Aomori Pref	Info
Thursday, July 3, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Jul 3, 10:31 am (GMT +9)	0.2 7.7 km	17 km (10.5 mi) to the SE	Japan: Western Aomori Pref	Info
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Jul 3, 05:17 am (GMT +9)	0.1 6.7 km	30 km (18 mi) to the S	Japan: Northern Akita Pref	Info
Jul 3, 05:02 am (GMT +9)	0.6 8.1 km	22 km (14 mi) to the S	Japan: Western Aomori Pref	Info
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Jul 1, 10:14 pm (GMT +9)	1.1 8 km	23 km (14 mi) to the S	Japan: Western Aomori Pref	Info
Monday, June 30, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Jul 1, 01:26 am (GMT +9)	0.9 14 km	15 km (9.2 mi) to the E	Japan: Western Aomori Pref	Info
Sunday, June 29, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Jun 30, 02:57 am (GMT +9)	0.3 7.8 km	6.5 km (4 mi) to the SE	Japan: Western Aomori Pref	Info
Jun 29, 09:05 pm (GMT +9)	1.2 9.1 km	23 km (14 mi) to the S	Japan: Western Aomori Pref	Info
Monday, June 23, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Jun 24, 01:04 am (GMT +9)	0.7 8.7 km	23 km (14 mi) to the S	Western Aomori Pref	Info

View recent quakes

Significant volcanic eruptions: Iwaki volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Iwaki has had at least 13 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 9 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 16 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Iwaki volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Iwaki volcano since around 1000 AD. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Iwaki can be found on the news page of Iwaki volcano.

Date	Note	VEI
1863 Mar 23	Historical obs./docs.	1
?? 1856 May 20	Uncertain Eruption	2
?? 1848 Jan 18	Uncertain Eruption	2
1845 Apr 4	Historical obs./docs.	2
1844 Apr 7	Summit and south flank? Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1833 Apr 11	Uncertain Eruption	2
?? 1807 Mar 31	Uncertain Eruption	2
?? 1800 May 11	Uncertain Eruption	2
?? 1794 Apr 3	Uncertain Eruption	2
?? 1793 Apr 2	Uncertain Eruption	2
1790 Oct 9	Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1783 Dec 3	Uncertain Eruption	2?
1782 Dec 1 ±30 d. - 1783 Mar 12	Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1782 Apr 12	Uncertain Eruption	2
?? 1769	Uncertain Eruption	2
?? 1709 Apr 23	Uncertain Eruption	2?
?? 1694 AD Jun 19	Uncertain Eruption	2?
?? 1672 AD Jul 12 - Jul 28	Uncertain Eruption	2?
1618 AD Jan 31	Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1605 AD Apr 10	Uncertain Eruption	2?
1604 AD Feb 7	Torinoumi Historical obs./docs.	3?
1600 AD Jul 23 - Jul 25	Torinoumi Historical obs./docs.	2
1600 AD Feb 22	Torinoumi Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1597 AD Jun 13	Uncertain Eruption	2
?? 1597 AD Jan	Uncertain Eruption	2

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

Iwaki Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Iwaki volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Iwaki occurred in 1863.

+How often does Iwaki volcano erupt?

Since 1600 AD, Iwaki volcano has had at least 9 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 47 years.

+When was the largest eruption of Iwaki volcano?

The largest eruption of Iwaki volcano in historic times occurred in 1604 AD. 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

Iwaki 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).