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Oshima Volcano

Updated: Jun 15, 2025 14:24 GMT -
stratovolcano
Izu Islands, Japan, 34.72°N / 139.4°E
Summit height: 764 m / 2,507 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)

Izu-Oshima volcano, 伊豆大島 Izu-ōshima) is the northernmost of the Izu islands of Japan, and one of the world's most active volcanoes. It is a mostly submerged stratovolcano that forms an 11 x 13 km island.
Oshima erupts very frequently, on average every 1-3 years, but has been quiet since 1990, which is an unusual long interval compared to its activity in historic times.
Eruptions at Oshima volcano occur from both summit and flank vents and its lavas are relatively fluid. The eruptions often produce lava fountains, strombolian activity, lava flows and the formation of lava lakes.

[smaller] [larger]
Typical eruption style: strombolian, effusive
Oshima volcano eruptions: 1990, 1987-88, 1986, 1974, 1971, 1970, 1970, 1969, 1968, 1968, 1967, 1965-66, 1962-65, 1961(?), 1959-60, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1956, 1956(?), 1953-54, 1950-51, 1940, 1939, 1939, 1938, 1937, 1935, 1934, 1934(?), 1933, 1928, 1922-23, 1920(?), 1919, 1915, 1914, 1912-13, 1910, 1876-77, 1870, 1868?, 1846, 1837-38, 1827, 1822-24, 1803, 1792, 1789, 1783-86, 1777-79, 1695, 1684-90, 1636-38, 1612-13, 1600-01, 1588, 1552, 1527, 1442, 1421, 1416, 1415, 1338, 1267, 1112, 936, 886, 854(?), 751, 684(?), 681(?), 680(?), 654, 630, 605

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and TimeMag / DepthDistance / Location
Jun 15, 10:20 pm (GMT +9)
1.9

12 km
19 km (12 mi) to the S North Pacific Ocean, Tokyo, 46 km east of Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan Info
Jun 15, 08:32 pm (GMT +9)
1.3

7 km
19 km (12 mi) to the S North Pacific Ocean, Tokyo, 46 km east of Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan Info
Jun 15, 07:02 pm (GMT +9)
2.1

12 km
20 km (12 mi) to the S North Pacific Ocean, Tokyo, 44 km east of Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan Info
Jun 15, 09:22 am (GMT +9)
2.3

15 km
20 km (12 mi) to the S North Pacific Ocean, Tokyo, 46 km east of Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan Info
Saturday, June 14, 2025 GMT (3 quakes)
Jun 15, 01:04 am (GMT +9)
0.8

14 km
18 km (11 mi) to the S North Pacific Ocean, Tokyo, 44 km east of Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan Info
Jun 14, 05:52 pm (GMT +9)
1.5

13 km
17 km (10.7 mi) to the S North Pacific Ocean, Tokyo, 45 km east of Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan Info
Jun 14, 05:01 pm (GMT +9)
1.3

13 km
17 km (10.5 mi) to the S North Pacific Ocean, Tokyo, 45 km east of Shimoda, Shizuoka, Japan Info
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Jun 10, 08:33 pm (GMT +9)
3.2

14 km
19 km (12 mi) to the S North Pacific Ocean, 45 km east of Shimoda, Shizuoka, JapanI FELT IT Info
Sunday, June 8, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Jun 9, 05:28 am (GMT +9)
2.6

12 km
28 km (18 mi) to the SW North Pacific Ocean, 31 km southeast of Shimoda, Shizuoka, JapanI FELT IT Info

Background

from Smithsonian / GVP volcano information:
Oshima volcano in Sagami Bay, east of the Izu Peninsula, is the northernmost of the Izu Islands. The broad, low stratovolcano forms an 11 x 13 km island and was constructed over the remnants of three dissected stratovolcanoes.
It is capped by a 4-km-wide caldera with a central cone, Mihara-yama, that has been the site of numerous historical eruptions. More than 40 parasitic cones are located within the caldera and along two parallel rift zones trending NNW-SSE. Although Oshima is a dominantly basaltic volcano, strong explosive activity has occurred at intervals of 100-150 years throughout the past few thousand years. Historical activity at Oshima dates back to the 7th century AD.

Oshima Volcano Photos

Significant volcanic eruptions: Oshima volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Oshima has had at least 99 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 63 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 9 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Oshima volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Oshima volcano since around 1900. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Oshima can be found on the news page of Oshima volcano.
DateNoteVEIDeathsDamage
1990 Oct 4Mihara-yama (1987 summit crater)
Historical obs./docs.
2
1987 Nov 16 - 1988 Jan 27Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
2
1986 Nov 15 - Dec 18Mihara-yama, N part and NW of caldera
Historical obs./docs.
3
1986 Nov 15
(eruption 1986 Nov 15 - Dec 18)
Historical obs./docs.
31
Info
1974 Feb 28 - Jun 20Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1971 Apr 5Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1970 Jun 30 - Nov 12Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1970 Jan 26 - Jan 31Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1969 Jan 19 - Jul 16 ±15 d.Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1968 Jul 28Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1968 Jan 19Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1967 May 16 ±15 d. - Aug 16 ±15 d.Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1965 Nov 25 - 1966 Jun 13Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1962 Jan 16 ±15 d. - 1965 May 16 ±15 d.Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
?? 1961 Jul 2 ±182 d.
Uncertain Eruption
?
1959 Oct 16 ±15 d. - 1960 Nov 16 ±15 d.Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1959 Jan 16 ±15 d.Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1958 Apr 17 - Jun 13Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1957 Aug 16 ±15 d. - Dec 16 ±15 d.Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1957 Oct 13
(eruption 1957 Aug 16 ±15 d. - Dec 16 ±15 d.)
Historical obs./docs.
21
Info
?? 1956 Aug 25 - Aug 26
Uncertain Eruption
1?
1956 Jan 3 - Jan 6Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1953 Oct 5 - 1954 Feb 8Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1953 Oct 5
(eruption 1953 Oct 5 - 1954 Feb 8)
Historical obs./docs.
11
Info
1950 Jul 16 - 1951 Jun 28Mihara-yama, south rim
Historical obs./docs.
2
1940 Aug 18 - Aug 19Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1939 Sep 1 - Sep 16Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1939 FebMihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1?
1938 Aug 11Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1937 Jul 17 - AugMihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
0
1935 Apr 26 - May 6 ?Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
0
?? 1934 Sep
Uncertain Eruption
?
1934 Apr 15 - Apr 25 ?Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
0
1933 Oct 14 - NovMihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
0
1928 Aug 7 - Aug 8Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
2
1922 Dec 8 - 1923 Jan 30Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1919 May 18 - Dec 23Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
0
?? 1920
Uncertain Eruption
?
1915 Oct 10 - Oct 25 ?Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
2
1914 May 15 - May 26Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
2
1912 Feb 23 - 1913 Jan 25Mihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
1910 DecMihara-yama
Historical obs./docs.
1
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 Oshima volcano



1968 eruption & lava fountains
A major eruption from Izu-Oshima volcano in 1986 produced spectacular lava fountains up to 1600 m height and a 16-km-high subplinian eruption column. More than 12,000 persons were evacuated from the island.
Tall lava fountains:
The 1968 Oshima lava fountain is the second highest ever (photographically) recorded lava fountain from a volcano. The highest is the 1500-2000 m tall lava fountain from the Voragine on Etna volcano on 4 September 1999, the third the 1000-1200 m tall lava fountain from Etna's SE crater during the paroxysm on 23 May 2000.
For comparison, the tallest lava fountains observed on Hawaii were about 590 m tall from Kilauea Iki on 21 November 1959. The specacular lava fountains from Pu'u O'o during 1983-85 reached up to 500 m.

Oshima Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Oshima volcano?

+How often does Oshima volcano erupt?

+How active is Oshima volcano at present?

+When was the largest eruption of Oshima volcano?

Latest satellite images

Oshima satellite image sat1Oshima satellite image sat2

Oshima 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).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Oshima volcano (scale of few kilometers)
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