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Ushishur

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 47.5125°N
  • 152.8139°E

  • 357 m
    1171 ft

  • 290210
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Bulletin Report: March 1989 (SEAN 14:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Highly active fumaroles in the S part of the caldera

Two groups of highly active fumaroles were observed in the S part of the caldera during a 14 January aerial inspection. In autumn 1988, land observations showed solfataric activity, pressurized gas emission, and sulfur deposits within a 170 x 50 m area. Gas temperatures were 100-104°C.

Information Contacts: G. Steinberg, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Ushishur.

Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

12/1981 (SEAN 06:12) Weak gas release from S part of caldera

04/1987 (SEAN 12:04) Fumarolic activity

03/1989 (SEAN 14:03) Highly active fumaroles in the S part of the caldera




Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


December 1981 (SEAN 06:12) Citation IconCite this Report

Weak gas release from S part of caldera

Weak gas release was occurring inside the S part of the caldera [during the 20 September overflight].

Information Contacts: G. Steinberg, Sakhalin Complex Institute.


April 1987 (SEAN 12:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Fumarolic activity

Moderate fumarolic activity was noted in the crater and on the W outer slope during 11 and 31 aerial October observations.

Information Contacts: G. Steinberg and B. Piskunov, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.


March 1989 (SEAN 14:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Highly active fumaroles in the S part of the caldera

Two groups of highly active fumaroles were observed in the S part of the caldera during a 14 January aerial inspection. In autumn 1988, land observations showed solfataric activity, pressurized gas emission, and sulfur deposits within a 170 x 50 m area. Gas temperatures were 100-104°C.

Information Contacts: G. Steinberg, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 4 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1884 Jul Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode SE caldera wall
1884 Jul - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at SE caldera wall

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
1884 Jul    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1769 (after) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Center of caldera bay
1769 (after) - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Center of caldera bay

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome

1710 ± 10 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode SE caldera wall
1710 ± 10 years - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at SE caldera wall

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity weak or small
1710 ± 10 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

7450 BCE ± 50 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
7450 BCE ± 50 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion extremely violent or catastrophic
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
   - - - -    - - - - Caldera Explosion
7450 BCE ± 50 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Ushishur.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Ushishur.

Photo Gallery

This 1.6-km-wide caldera formed about 9,400 years ago at the summit of Ushishur and now opens towards the south, allowing sea water to fill the caldera. Four lava domes (three of which are visible here) have grown within the caldera. An area containing fumaroles and hot springs along the SE caldera shoreline was a sacred place to Kuril Ainu people in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Photo by Yoshihiro Ishizuka, 2000 (Hokkaido University).
A phreatic explosion at the geothermal area to the lower left took place in July 1884. An area at the foot of the SE caldera wall containing fumaroles (to the lower left of this photo) was a sacred place to 18th to 19th century Ainu people. The caldera rim opens to the south with a 300-m-wide gap that allows sea water to flood the caldera floor. The peak to the left-center is one of two older lava domes connected by a grass-mantled sand bar to the SE caldera wall. Ketoi Island (right) is visible in the distance to the SW.

Photo by Yoshihiro Ishizuka, 2000 (Hokkaido University).
The 1.6-km-wide caldera of Ushishur volcano opens towards the south and formed during an eruption about 9,400 years ago. Two post-caldera lava domes that erupted sometime after a 1769 visit of Captain Snow form islands in the caldera bay. Two older domes in front of the islands are joined by a sand bar to the SE caldera wall. A northern island (top) consists of a portion of the flanks.

Photo by R. Bulgakov, 1990 (Institute of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Yuzhno-Sakhalin).
GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Ushishur in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites