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Report on Aira (Japan) — 26 August-1 September 2015


Aira

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 26 August-1 September 2015
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2015. Report on Aira (Japan) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 26 August-1 September 2015. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (26 August-1 September 2015)

Aira

Japan

31.5772°N, 130.6589°E; summit elev. 1117 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


JMA reported that small-scale explosions from Showa Crater (Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were detected during 28-29 August. An ash plume rose 800 m above the crater on 29 August. Small explosions occurred at Minamidake Crater on 30 August. The Alert Level was lowered to 3 (on a 5-level scale) on 1 September.

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 caldera, along with several post-caldera cones. The construction of Sakurajima began about 13,000 years ago on the southern rim and built an island that was joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kitadake summit cone ended about 4,850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at Minamidake. Frequent eruptions since the 8th century have deposited ash on the city of Kagoshima, located across Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest recorded eruption took place during 1471-76.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)