Kuchinoerabujima
Stratovolcano(es) in Japan
Key Facts
Elevation
657 m (2,156 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano(es)
Location
30.443°, 130.217°
Region
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc
Total Eruptions
29
Max VEI
VEI 4
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
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Eruption Timeline
Most recent confirmed eruption
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Overview
A group of young stratovolcanoes forms the eastern end of the irregularly shaped island of Kuchinoerabujima in the northern Ryukyu Islands, 15 km W of Yakushima. The Furudake, Shindake, and Noikeyama cones were erupted from south to north, respectively, forming a composite cone with multiple craters. All historical eruptions have occurred from Shindake, although a lava flow from the S flank of Furudake that reached the coast has a very fresh morphology.
Frequent explosive eruptions have taken place from Shindake since 1840; the largest of these was in December 1933. Several villages on the 4 x 12 km island are located within a few kilometers of the active crater and have suffered damage from eruptions.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | 29 | High | Highly active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI 4 | Major | Regional impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 6 years ago | Very Recent | Currently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Western Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 282050
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Kuchinoerabu rises to the SE above the fishing village of Motomura. The active cone of Shindake is in the center, Sankakutenyama is to the left, and Furudake (Hurudake) to the right. Shindake has been the site of frequent explosive eruptions in historical time. Several villages on the 4 x 12 km island are located within a few kilometers of the active crater and have suffered damage from eruptions.
Copyrighted photo by Shingo Takeuchi (Japanese Quaternary Volcanoes database, RIODB, http://riodb02.ibase.aist.go.jp/strata/VOL_JP/EN/index.htm and Geol Surv Japan, AIST, http://www.gsj.jp/).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.