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Kuchinoerabu-jima (口永良部島 本村西) volcano is one of the active volcanoes of the Ryukyu Island arc, Japan. The 4x12 km wide island is sparsely populated and located 15 km west of Yaku-shima.
All historic activity which consisted in frequent explosions recorded since 1840 took place from Shin-take, but there is a young, but undated lava flow from the south flank of Furu-take that reached the coast.
The largest eruption in historic time occurred in December 1933 and caused damage in several villages located only a few km from the active crater.
stratovolcanoes 657 m / 2,155 ft
Ryukyu Islands, Japan, 30.44°N / 130.22°E
Current status: restless (2 out of 5)
Kuchinoerabu-jima webcams / live data | ReportsKuchinoerabu-jima volcano books
Kuchinoerabu-jima volcano eruptions:
2015, 2014, 1980, 1976, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1968-69, 1966, 1945, 1933-34, 1932 (?), 1931, 1914, 1906-07 (?), 1841, 1840
radiocarbon-dated: 1560 ± 100 years, 1470 ± 50, 1440 ± 50, 1110 ± 75, 1100 ± 100, 970 AD ± 75, 600 AD ± 75, 1140 BC ± 150, 1450 BC ± 75, 3480 BC ± 150, 9520 BC ± 300
Typical eruption style:phreatic explosions
Last earthquakes nearby
Latest satellite images 
Kuchinoerabu-jima volcano news & activity updates:
Sat, 2 Feb 2019, 03:00
Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Tokyo (VAAC) issued the following report: ...moreFVFE01 at 02:50 UTC, 02/02/19 from RJTD [ less] [ read all]
Tue, 29 Jan 2019, 18:15
Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Tokyo warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 16000 ft (4900 m) altitude or flight level 160 and is moving at 25 kts in E direction. ...moreThe full report is as follows: [ less] [ read all]
Tue, 29 Jan 2019, 08:30
Satellite image of Kuchinoerabu-jima volcano on 29 Jan 2019 Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Tokyo (VAAC) issued the following report: ...moreFVFE01 at 08:25 UTC, 29/01/19 from RJTD [ less] [ read all]
Sun, 20 Jan 2019, 12:15
Satellite image of Kuchinoerabu-jima volcano on 20 Jan 2019 Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Tokyo (VAAC) issued the following report: ...moreFVFE01 at 12:02 UTC, 20/01/19 from RJTD [ less] [ read all]
Thu, 17 Jan 2019, 22:13
Close-up webcam image of the pyroclastic flow, which seems larger than it was in this view. Credit: Still image from JMA webcam. Following renewed unrest and a minor eruption beginning last August, earlier today a more significant explosion occurred, sending ash to 20,000ft (6km) and generating a moderate pyroclastic flow which travelled 1.5km (~1 mile) down the southwest flank, though fortunately did not affect adjacent communities. No injuries have been reported and this event was smaller than the powerful explosion in 2015. JMA has kept the alert level at 3 (on a scale of 1-5). 
The early part of the explosion. Credit: Still image from JMA webcam.
Thu, 17 Jan 2019, 00:30
Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Tokyo (VAAC) issued the following report: ...moreFVFE01 at 00:22 UTC, 17/01/19 from RJTD [ less] [ read all]
Tue, 23 Oct 2018, 13:18
JMA webcam view today. Credit: Japan Meteorological Agency A new and very small eruption is occurring, with ash plumes rising only a few thousand feet above sea level. This follows the unrest in August, when the Alert Level was raised to 4, as there were concerns about a repeat of the large explosion in 2015. This subsequently declined, the Alert Level dropped to 3, where it remains.
Thu, 16 Jun 2016, 11:27
Evacuated Kuchinoerabu-jima island seen from Yakushima last summer (image: Peter Majtan) The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the official government body in charge of monitoring volcanoes, lowered the alert level for the island, after no more significant activity has occurred at the volcano since 19 June 2015 (i.e. almost one year). ...moreCurrent level was lowered from the second highest on the scale (4: "prepare for evacuation") to now 3 ("Do not approach the volcano"). The violent eruption of Mount Shindake volcano on 29 May last year triggered the evacuation of the 118 residents of the small island to neighboring Yakushima Island. The evacuation order was lifted in December last year, allowing the villagers to return to their island. [ less] [ read all]
Fri, 19 Jun 2015, 11:05
Another eruption occurred from the Shindake crater shortly after noon on 18 June. It was not directly observed due to cloud cover and the island being evacuated, but sent out a clear explosion signal picked up on seismic stations. ...moreJapan maintains the highest alert level (5 out of 5) and the evacuated island inhabitants are currently not allowed to return to their homes. [ less] Tue, 2 Jun 2015, 15:54
An analysis of the erupted ash from 29 May confirms that the explosion was, as suspected, phreatomagmatic in origin, i.e. driven by the presence of new magma interacting with external water. ...moreThe ash samples contained about 30% juvenile (fresh) lava fragments, while the rest were mostly altered older rocks. The ratio of fresh magma involved in the eruption has increased compared to the eruption last year on 3 August. [ less] Show more news
Sun, 31 May 2015, 01:11
Aerial image of the harbour area of Kuchinoerabujima island hit by the pyroclastic flow (JMA) So far, the volcano has remained calm so far, although a new explosion remains a possibility and the highest alert level 5 (evacuation) remains in place. ...moreAll islanders have been evacuated and there are no reports of fatalities. The Japanese Meteorogical Agency (JMA) believes that the eruption, which occurred at 09:59 local time, was phreatomagmatic in origin. A local earthquake occurred just under a minute before the explosion. 
Image of the summit area (JMA) 
Map of the island and affected area by the eruption [ less] [ read all]
Fri, 29 May 2015, 06:34
Ash plumes from Kuchinoerabu-jima and Sakura-jima volcanoes today (MODIS Terra / NASA) Two people have been reported injured, presumably burnt by pyroclastic surge, and were flown to a hospital in Yakushima island. ...moreSo far, it is not clear whether the eruption is a large-scale phreatic (steam-explosion driven) event or caused by new magma. Ash analysis should bring light into this soon. Below is a NASA satellite image of the eruption plume - also a weaker plume from Sakurajima volcano (very active today as well) is visible drifting west from southern Kyushu island. [ less] [ read all]
Fri, 29 May 2015, 03:57
Ash plume and pyroclastic flow from the eruption of Kuchinoerabujima this morning A powerful vulcanian explosion occurred this morning at 11:02 am local time at the volcano. The eruption - a both vertical and partially lateral massive explosion, occurred with apparently little warning from the Shintake vent and produced large pyroclastic flows by column collapse. A tall mushroom ash plume quickly rose to approx. 12 km altitude (36,000 ft). ...moreJMA raised the alert level to the highest (5 out of 5) and authorities ordered immediate evacuation of the 130 inhabitants. Preliminary reports say that no fatalities or significant damage occurred, although this seems almost too good to be true, judging from the view of a massive pyroclastic flow that swept down to the coast near the port of the small island. Video: 
The plume from the eruption seen from Yakushima island 
VAAC Tokyo's forecast of the ash plume [ less] [ read all]
Fri, 27 Mar 2015, 19:25
Glow from Shin-Dake crater Incandescence can be seen from the crater of the volcano, suggesting mild activity (e.g. release of very hot gasses) continues. Since its last eruption in August 2014 the volcano remains at alert level 3 (out of 5).
Fri, 5 Dec 2014, 16:18
JMA reported that no eruptions occurred from the volcano during 25-28 November although the level of activity remained elevated. White plumes rose 200 m above the crater. ...moreLow-level seismicity continued and tremor was absent. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5). (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 26 November-2 December 2014) [ less] Thu, 21 Aug 2014, 15:42
No new eruptions seem to have occurred at the volcano since the relatively violent eruption on 4 Aug. ...moreJMA reported continuing tremor and earthquake activity as well as a steam-/gas-plume rising 50-600 m above the crater rim. [ less] Mon, 4 Aug 2014, 07:03
Pyroclastic flow from Kuchinoerabu-Jima yesterday (撮影：ネット管理者 / kuchi-erabu.org) A new eruption occurred yesterday at the volcano at 12h25 local time. It consisted of a single powerful explosion from the Shin-Dake crater. An ash plume rose to approx 1.5 km height, and a pyroclastic flow was generated. ...moreThe eruption lasted about 10 minutes and much of the erupted mass collapsed into an impressive pyroclastic flow (hot avalanche of fragmented lava and gasses). There are no reports of victims or damage. Japanese volcanologists raised the alert level to 3 and closed access to the summit area. [ less] [ read all]
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