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Kuchinoerabu-jima Volcano - John Seach
Ryukyu Islands, Japan
30.43 N, 130.22 E
summit elevation 649 m
Stratovolcanoes
The island of Kuchinoerabu-jima in the northern Ryuku Islands contains three stratovolcanoes: Furu-dake, Shin-dake and Sankakuten-yama. The island contains approximately 140 residents and is located 130 km south of the city of Kagoshima.
The island is only 12 x 4 km in diameter and a few villages are located near Shin-dake and have been affected by eruptions.
2008 Unrest
An increase in seismicity at the volcano, resulted in the hazard level being raised from from 1 to 2 (on a scale of 1-5) on 4th September 2008, and to level 3 on 27th October 2008. Inflation occurred below the summit crater, and fumarolic activity increased.
1999 Seismic Activity
Increased seismicity occurred at Kuchinoerabu-jima Volcano, with a maximum of 196 earthquakes measured in August 1999.
1980 Eruption
A 30-minute eruption occurred on 28th September 1980 after 4 years of quiet. The eruption created a fissure 6 m wide and 750 m long, N-S near historically active Shin-dake crater.
1976 Eruption
An eruption occurred at Kuchinoerabu-jima Volcano on 2nd April 1976. The eruption produced an ash column 3000 m high, and tephra fell in a village 3 km from the crater. The eruptions lasted until 3rd June 1976.
Kuchinoerabu-jima Volcano Eruptions
1980, 1976, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1968-69, 1966, 1945, 1933-34, 1932?, 1931, 1914, ?1906-07, 1841, 1840, 4300 BC.