Report on Kuchinoerabujima (Japan) — 20 November-26 November 2024
Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 20 November-26 November 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, 20 November-26 November 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)
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that volcanic activity at Kuchinoerabujima had been declining since mid-August. The number of shallow volcanic earthquakes that had been frequent since the beginning of April, with most epicenters located near Furudake Crater, and few near Shindake Crater (just N of Furudake), had declined; no large-amplitude earthquakes had been recorded. There were no notable changes to hydrothermal fields from late October to mid-November. Sulfur dioxide gas emissions were at low levels, fluctuating between 20 and 60 tons per day, and occasionally below detectable limits. The Alert Level was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 1-5) at 1100 on 20 November and the public was warned to exercise caution around the craters and not to enter restricted areas.
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.