Midagahara
Stratovolcano in Japan
Key Facts
Elevation
2,621 m (8,599 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
36.571°, 137.590°
Region
Nankai Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Midagahara volcano is a dissected andesitic-to-dacitic stratovolcano on a plateau surrounded by high peaks of the North Japan Alps. The granite-and-gneiss peak of Tateyama lies immediately to the east. Formation of a 4-km-wide erosional caldera was followed by repeated eruptions of lava and pyroclastics forming the Midagahara plateau that was later dissected by the Yukawa river.
Holocene eruptions have been restricted to small phreatic explosions that formed craters. A minor historical eruption occurred in the 19th century. An earthquake swarm took place in 1990.
Hot springs occur in seven locations on the floor of the poorly defined erosional caldera.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 187 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Western Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 283080
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Lake-filled Mikurigaike crater is part of Tateyama, an eroded stratovolcano on a plateau surrounded by the granite and gneiss peaks of the North Japan Alps. Formation of a 4-km-wide caldera was followed by Pleistocene eruptions of lava and pyroclastics forming a plateau that was later eroded by the Yukawa river. Holocene eruptions have been restricted to small phreatic explosions that formed craters such as the one seen here.
Photo by Ichio Moriya, 1992 (Kanazawa University).
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.