The Showa-Shinzan lava dome formed on the E flank of Usu volcano during eruptions in 1944-45. Rapid ground deformation initially raised flat cornfields to form a 150-m-high flat-topped hill on the lower E flank. Explosive eruptions from the center of the uplifted area began on 23 June 1944 and continued almost daily until 31 October. The dome breached the surface in November 1944 and ceased growing by September 1945 at a height of about 275 m.

Photo by Mihoko Moriizumi (Hokkaido University).

This image is made available under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 license terms.

Galleries: Lava Domes

Keywords: lava dome | geology

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