Report on Aira (Japan) — February 1989
Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin, vol. 14, no. 2 (February 1989)
Managing Editor: Lindsay McClelland.
Aira (Japan) Monthly ashfall decreases; two explosions
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 1989. Report on Aira (Japan) (McClelland, L., ed.). Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin, 14:2. Smithsonian Institution. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.SEAN198902-282080
Aira
Japan
31.593°N, 130.657°E; summit elev. 1117 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
In February, two explosions . . . were recorded, bringing the year's total to four. On 020 February at 0721, an explosion ejected a moderate amount of ash to 1,300 m. Another explosion at 1212 on 23 February produced a strong air shock and ejected blocks. During the month, 33 g/m2 of ash accumulated at the observatory.
Geological Summary. The Aira caldera in the northern half of Kagoshima Bay contains the post-caldera Sakurajima volcano, one of Japan's most active. Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow accompanied formation of the 17 x 23 km caldera about 22,000 years ago. The smaller Wakamiko caldera was formed during the early Holocene in the NE corner of the Aira caldera, along with several post-caldera cones. The construction of Sakurajima began about 13,000 years ago on the southern rim of Aira caldera and built an island that was finally joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kitadake summit cone ended about 4850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at Minamidake. Frequent historical eruptions, recorded since the 8th century, have deposited ash on Kagoshima, one of Kyushu's largest cities, located across Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest historical eruption took place during 1471-76.
Information Contacts: JMA.