Sanbesan
Stratovolcano in Japan
Key Facts
Elevation
1,126 m (3,694 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
35.141°, 132.622°
Region
Nankai Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Dacite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Sanbesan stratovolcano, near the northern coast of SW Honshu, has a summit cut by a small caldera about 1 km in diameter. The highest point on the dacitic-to-andesitic volcano is O-Sanbe, at the northern end of the complex. There have been several large explosive eruptions during the Pleistocene and one strong Holocene eruption from the Taiheizan lava dome about 3,700 years ago.
This eruption was accompanied by pyroclastic flows that swept down the NE-to-SE flanks and traveled 9 km down the Hayamizu River to the SW. Younger, undated eruptions have also occurred (Machida and Arai, 1992).
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 | 1376 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Western Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 283002
- •Evidence: Eruption Dated
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Sanbe is the SW-most Holocene volcano on the island of Honshu. Seen here from the S, the highest peak is called Osanbe. It is flanked by Mesanbe on the right, Kosanbe on the left, and Magosanbe in the center. Sanbe had a large explosive eruption about 3,700 years ago that originated from Taiheizan lava dome.
Photo by Yoshinobu Tatsu, 1998 (Shimane Prefectural Sanbe Shizenkan Nature Museum).
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.