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Kujusan

Photo of this volcano
  • Japan
  • Stratovolcano(es)
  • 1996 CE
  •  
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 33.086°N
  • 131.249°E

  • 1791 m
    5876 ft

  • 282120
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Bulletin Report: January 1997 (BGVN 22:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Increased seismic activity in January

The monthly total of earthquakes for December was 397, and included volcanic tremors on 1, 2, and 28 December. In January, seismicity increased to a total of 2,142 events. From the night of 9 January through 11 January, activity peaked with a high of 1,262 events on 10 January, the highest daily number of recorded seismic events since 11 October 1995. The highest plumes reached 600 m in December and 700 m in January.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Kujusan.

Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

09/1995 (BGVN 20:09) Phreatic explosion on 11 October causes ashfall 60 km away

10/1995 (BGVN 20:10) Additional data on the sudden aseismic eruption of 11 October

12/1995 (BGVN 20:11) Seismically active with occasional lapilli and steam ejections

01/1996 (BGVN 21:01) Earthquake swarm and eruptions on 13-14 January; continuous plume

02/1996 (BGVN 21:02) Seismic activity continues but plume is devoid of ash

03/1996 (BGVN 21:03) Increased seismicity in late March, but plume remains ash-free

04/1996 (BGVN 21:04) Seismicity and steam plume without ash

05/1996 (BGVN 21:05) Seismic activity increases, but there is no ashfall

07/1996 (BGVN 21:07) No ashfall despite seismic increases

08/1996 (BGVN 21:08) Low plume and no ashfall despite seismic increases

11/1996 (BGVN 21:11) Ongoing seismicity

01/1997 (BGVN 22:01) Increased seismic activity in January




Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


September 1995 (BGVN 20:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Phreatic explosion on 11 October causes ashfall 60 km away

The observation of "smoke" in the Kuju Volcano Group (figure 1) near the Hosho dome (summit elevation 1,762 m, figure 2) at about 1800 on 11 October prompted the local meteorological observatory to issue a volcano alert. Ashfall from the phreatic activity was observed in towns as far as 60 km away, but there was no noticeable seismicity. When observed by the Kyushu Mobile Volcano Observation Team at 1430 on 12 September, steam was rising 400 m from around mid-slope on the dome. At that time there were three vents and fissure vents on the E slope of Hosho in an area ~300 m E-W by 100 m N-S. A photograph published in the Japan Times on 13 October (figure 3) showed steam emissions from numerous points along one ridge of the dome.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Map of central and southern Kyushu Island, showing selected cities and historically active volcanoes. Courtesy of Tokiko Tiba.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 2. Map of the Kuju Volcano Group (modified from Kuno, 1962). Hosho Dome is near the center of the group.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 3. Photograph of steam emissions from the Hosho dome at Kuju. Scanned from a photograph published in the Japan Times, 13 October 1995.

Reference. Kuno, H., 1962, Japan, Taiwan, and Marianas: Catalog of active volcanoes of the world, part 11, p. 54-57.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Seismological and Volcanological Department, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Japan; Tokiko Tiba, Department of Geology, National Science Museum, 3-23-1 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169, Japan; The Japan Times, Tokyo, Japan.


October 1995 (BGVN 20:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Additional data on the sudden aseismic eruption of 11 October

On 11 October, aseismic phreatic eruptions started within the Kuju volcanic group, on Hosho (Hosyo) dome's E side (BGVN 20:09). On 12 October observers found an E-W trending line of vents ~300-m long; also, at that time an ash-bearing plume rose to ~1 km above the crater.

The eruption deposited a 100 m2 blanket of fist-sized volcanic clasts; it also emitted mud that flowed down an adjacent valley. After that, the volume and height of the plume gradually decreased until finally ash-bearing eruptions ceased at the month's end. Seismicity stayed low during October.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Seismological and Volcanological Department, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Japan.


December 1995 (BGVN 20:11) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismically active with occasional lapilli and steam ejections

An aseismic phreatic eruption vented from the N flank (not E as previously reported) of Hosho dome on the evening of 11 October (BGVN 20:10). The eruption came from a 400-m-long E-W fissure that includes multiple sub-fissures and craters.

The Volcano Research Center (VRC) at the University of Tokyo reported that the estimated volume of tephra from the 11 October eruption was 22,000 m3. Violent steaming from the vents and craters along en-echelon cracks has reportedly continued since then. An image taken by the French SPOT-2 satellite on the morning of 13 October shows an ash plume extending SW.

JMA reported that on 12 and 13 November field observers saw steam vigorously escaping from Vent D. The steam carried volcanic lapilli up to 5 cm in diameter.

Another JMA field party witnessed a loud explosion on 13 December, but ejecta were not found. VRC reported that another phreatic eruption on the morning of 18 December produced ~20% of the tephra of the 11 October eruption. Associated tremor, local deflation, and earthquakes were noted. Small ash emissions continued until at least as late as the night of 13 January 1996. In material erupted since 20 December, clear juvenile rhyolite glass shards were recognized in the ash and comprised roughly 1% of its volume.

The highest plumes during November and December rose ~300 and 600 m above the vent. On 23 November, earthquakes increased and the daily total was 13; the monthly total was 69. During the most active days in December, the 2nd and 18th, daily totals were 22 and 29, respectively; the total for the month was 134.

Further Reference. Hiroki, H., and Tatsuro, C., 1995, Eruption of Iozan at Kuju volcano in October 1995: Journal of the Geological Society of Japan, v. 101, no. 12, p. 43-56.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Seismological and Volcanological Department, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Japan; Volcano Research Center, Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113 Japan (URL: http://www.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/VRC/index_E.html); Geological Survey of Japan, 1-1-3 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305 Japan (URL: http://www.aist.go.jp/ GSJ/dEG/sVOLC/kuju_E.html).


January 1996 (BGVN 21:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Earthquake swarm and eruptions on 13-14 January; continuous plume

Frequent earthquakes during the night of 13 January and through the next morning were centered 3-4 km NW of the Hosho dome near Sujiyu spa; eruptions caused minor ashfall around the volcano. Instruments recorded 526 earthquakes during the 13-14 January episode, some of which were felt by local residents. Some earthquakes on 27 January were centered SW of the active dome. Overall, there were 861 earthquakes detected in January, but no tremor. The plume height remained at 100-300 m throughout most of the month. Scientists at the University of Tokyo noted that vesiculated glass was again observed in the 13 January material, and deflation near the crater area was continuing.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Seismological and Volcanological Department, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Japan; Volcano Research Center, Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113, Japan (URL: http://www.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/VRC/index_E.html).


February 1996 (BGVN 21:02) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic activity continues but plume is devoid of ash

High seismicity was recorded throughout February: earthquakes totaled 303. No volcanic tremors were observed. The height of the ash-free plume remained at 100-300 m throughout the month. There was no ashfall.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Seismological and Volcanological Department, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Japan.


March 1996 (BGVN 21:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Increased seismicity in late March, but plume remains ash-free

Seismicity increased during 24-27 March, and volcanic tremors were detected late in the month. The total number of earthquakes in March was 507. The height of the ash-free plume remained at 100-300 m for most of the month, with increases to 600 m on 12 and 27 March.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Seismological and Volcanological Department, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Japan.


April 1996 (BGVN 21:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismicity and steam plume without ash

High seismicity around Kuju was recorded between 1 and 3 April. The monthly total number of earthquakes was 196. No volcanic tremors were observed. The height of the white ash-free plume remained at 100-300 m throughout the month, but it was ~ 500 m high on 21, 25, and 26 April.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Seismological and Volcanological Department, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Japan.


May 1996 (BGVN 21:05) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic activity increases, but there is no ashfall

The increased seismicity that began in late March and early April (BGVN 21:02 and 21:03) continued during May. The total number of earthquakes in May was 423, of which 283 occurred on the 14th. No volcanic tremor was observed. The plume height remained at 100-400 m for most of the month, but rose to 600 m on 14 May. There were no ashfalls.

Information Contacts: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Volcanological Division, Seismological and Volcanological Department, 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan.


July 1996 (BGVN 21:07) Citation IconCite this Report

No ashfall despite seismic increases

During June and July, high seismicity around Kuju was recorded. Some of the daily earthquake totals were as follows: 20-30 (18, 26, and 27 June); 39 (3 July); and 31 (15 July). Overall there were 212 events in June and 279 in July. During June and July no ashfall was seen and plume height typically remained lower than 400 m.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Japan Meteorological Agency, 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan


August 1996 (BGVN 21:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Low plume and no ashfall despite seismic increases

High seismicity around Kuju was recorded in August, with a total of 318 events; 72 of them were on 7 August. Plume height remained low for most of August but increased to 700 m on 25 August. No ashfall was observed.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan.


November 1996 (BGVN 21:11) Citation IconCite this Report

Ongoing seismicity

The monthly total of earthquakes was 254 for September, 270 for October, and 313 for November. The plume height usually remained at 200-400 m during September, but reached 700 m four times. During October and November the plume height was mostly at 100-300 m, but on 11 and 29 October it reached 600 m, and on 24 November it was 700 m high. On 28, 29, and 30 November, 15 small-amplitude volcanic tremors were observed. Prior to that, tremor was last detected on 29 March 1996.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan.


January 1997 (BGVN 22:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Increased seismic activity in January

The monthly total of earthquakes for December was 397, and included volcanic tremors on 1, 2, and 28 December. In January, seismicity increased to a total of 2,142 events. From the night of 9 January through 11 January, activity peaked with a high of 1,262 events on 10 January, the highest daily number of recorded seismic events since 11 October 1995. The highest plumes reached 600 m in December and 700 m in January.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Division, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), 1-3-4 Ote-machi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100, Japan.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 13 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1995 Oct 11 - 1996 Mar 24 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Hosho lava dome (east flank)
1995 Oct 11 - 1996 Mar 24 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 7 Events for Episode 1 at Hosho lava dome (east flank)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor)
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
   - - - -    - - - - Deformation (deflation)
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
1995 Oct 11    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1738 Aug 13 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1738 Aug 13 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Fumarolic or Solfataric Uncertain
1738 Aug 13    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1675 Jun (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1675 Jun (?) - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Fumarolic or Solfataric Uncertain
1675 Jun
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1662 Jan 26 (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1662 Jan 26 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
1662 Jan 26
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0370 ± 40 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Kuro-dake
0370 ± 40 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Kuro-dake

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome
0370 ± 40 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0100 BCE ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Komekubo crater, Tephra layer KB
0100 BCE ± 300 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Komekubo crater, Tephra layer KB

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Scoria
0100 BCE ± 300 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0990 BCE ± 940 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Komekubo crater, Tephra layer KA
0990 BCE ± 940 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Komekubo crater, Tephra layer KA

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Scoria
0990 BCE ± 1000 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1720 BCE ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Taisen-Minami
1720 BCE ± 300 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Taisen-Minami

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome

2440 BCE ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Danbaru, DS tephra
2440 BCE ± 300 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Danbaru, DS tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Scoria
2440 BCE ± 300 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

3110 BCE ± 500 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Iwaigo-dake, Ogigahana, Hizengajo
3110 BCE ± 500 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Iwaigo-dake, Ogigahana, Hizengajo

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome

3780 BCE ± 500 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Taisen-Hokubu lava dome, Tephra layer A1
3780 BCE ± 500 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Taisen-Hokubu lava dome, Tephra layer A1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
3780 BCE ± 500 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

4490 BCE ± 500 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Tachi-san, Gakurokuji
4490 BCE ± 500 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Tachi-san, Gakurokuji

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow

7180 BCE ± 2640 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Sensui-zan
7180 BCE ± 2640 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Sensui-zan

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome
   - - - -    - - - - Avalanche
   - - - -    - - - - Edifice Destroyed Collapse/avalanche

9160 BCE ± 1190 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode A2 tephra
9160 BCE ± 1190 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at A2 tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava dome
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
9160 BCE ± 1000 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is data available for 2 deformation periods. Expand each entry for additional details.


Deformation during 1995 Nov 03 - 1997 Nov 20 [Subsidence; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 1995 Nov 03 Stop Date: 1997 Nov 20 Direction: Subsidence Method: InSAR
Magnitude: 12.000 cm Spatial Extent: Unknown Latitude: Unknown Longitude: Unknown

Remarks: A small area on the NE side of Mt. Hossho subsided locally following the eruption of Mt. Hossho on 11 October 1995.

Figure (see Caption)

(b) Interferogram in Kuju volcanic region of Pair no. 7 [11/03/95? 11/20/97]. The framed area in both images is the location of Mt. Hossho. This area is same as the area in Fig. 2. The yellow circle shows the location of Hatchobaru area.

From: Tomiyama et al. 2004.


Reference List: Tomiyama et al. 2004; Sudo et al. 1998.

Full References:

Sudo, Y., Ono, H., Hurst, A.W., Tsutsui, T., Mori, T., Nakaboh, M., Matsumoto, Y., Sako, M., Yoshikawa, S., Tanaka, M. and Kobayashi, Y.,, 1998. Seismic activity and ground deformation associated with 1995 phreatic eruption of Kuju volcano, Kyushu, Japan. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 81: 245-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-0273(98)00011-0

Tomiyama, N., Koike, K., & Omura, M., 2004. Detection of topographic changes associated with volcanic activities of Mt. Hossho using D-InSAR. Advances in Space Research, 33(3), 279-283.

Deformation during 1995 Sep 20 - 1995 Nov 03 [Uplift; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 1995 Sep 20 Stop Date: 1995 Nov 03 Direction: Uplift Method: InSAR
Magnitude: 6.000 cm Spatial Extent: Unknown Latitude: Unknown Longitude: Unknown

Remarks: This deformation event brackets the eruption of Mt. Hossho on 11 October 1995.

Figure (see Caption)

(a) Interferogram in Kuju volcanic region of Pair no. 5 [09/20/95?11/03/95]. The framed area in both images is the location of Mt. Hossho. This area is same as the area in Fig. 2. The yellow circle shows the location of Hatchobaru area.

From: Tomiyama et al. 2004.


Reference List: Tomiyama et al. 2004.

Full References:

Tomiyama, N., Koike, K., & Omura, M., 2004. Detection of topographic changes associated with volcanic activities of Mt. Hossho using D-InSAR. Advances in Space Research, 33(3), 279-283.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Kujusan.

GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Kujusan in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites