Report on Kuchinoerabujima (Japan) — 10 April-16 April 2024
Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 10 April-16 April 2024
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2024. Report on Kuchinoerabujima (Japan) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 10 April-16 April 2024. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Kuchinoerabujima
Japan
30.443°N, 130.217°E; summit elev. 657 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
JMA reported that shallow volcanic earthquakes at Kuchinoerabujima had been frequent since the beginning of April, with most epicenters located near Furudake Crater, and some near Shindake Crater (just N of Furudake). Both the number and magnitude of the volcanic earthquakes increased and remained elevated. The Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-5) at 1200 on 13 April due to the increased seismicity. Visual observations during 10-12 April field visits indicated no changes to the craters nor to the geothermal area near the fissure on the W side of the Shindake. Sulfur dioxide gas emissions were at low levels. The public was warned that ejected blocks and pyroclastic flows may impact areas within 1 km of both craters and within 2 km of Shindake.
Geological Summary. A group of young stratovolcanoes forms the eastern end of the irregularly shaped island of Kuchinoerabujima in the northern Ryukyu Islands, 15 km W of Yakushima. The Furudake, Shindake, and Noikeyama cones were erupted from south to north, respectively, forming a composite cone with multiple craters. All historical eruptions have occurred from Shindake, although a lava flow from the S flank of Furudake that reached the coast has a very fresh morphology. Frequent explosive eruptions have taken place from Shindake since 1840; the largest of these was in December 1933. Several villages on the 4 x 12 km island are located within a few kilometers of the active crater and have suffered damage from eruptions.