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Submarine Volcano NNE of Iriomotejima

Stratovolcano in Japan

Last Eruption: 1924

Key Facts

Elevation

-200 m (-656 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

24.570°, 123.930°

Region

Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Rhyolite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

The southernmost Ryukyu Islands volcano is a shallow submarine volcano 20 km NNE of Iriomotejima island and 35 km WSW of the northern tip of the island of Ishigakishima in an area with an estimated depth of 200-300 m. A major submarine eruption on 31 October 1924 produced rhyolitic pumice rafts with an estimated volume of about 1 km3 that were carried by currents along both coasts of Japan as far north as Hokkaido. The largest pumice blocks exceeded 1 x 2 m in size, and the volume of ejecta places this poorly known eruption among the largest recorded in Japan.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskHigh
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Rhyolite
Silica Content
High (>68% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Holocene
Evidence
Eruption Observed

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity102 years agoHistoricalHistorically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Real-time seismic monitoring
Geological Survey of Japan
Geochemical monitoring
Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Normal
No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in Western Pacific Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity
The Western Pacific Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

  • Smithsonian ID: 282010
  • Evidence: Eruption Observed
  • Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

A submarine volcano is located approximately 20 km offshore NNE of Iriomotejima, shown in this bathymetric map by the Japan Coast Guard. On 31 October 1924 an eruption produced a pumice raft that eventually reached Japan.

Courtesy of Japan Coast Guard.

Basic Information

This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.