Global Volcanism Program

Most Recent Weekly Report: 29 May-4 June 2019 Cite this Report

JMA raised the Alert Level for Midagahara to 1 (the lowest level on a 5-level scale) on 30 May due to an undescribed potential for increased activity at the crater.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Weekly Reports - Index

2019: May

29 May-4 June 2019 Cite this Report

JMA raised the Alert Level for Midagahara to 1 (the lowest level on a 5-level scale) on 30 May due to an undescribed potential for increased activity at the crater.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Midagahara.

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

283080

1839 CE

2,621 m / 8,599 ft

36.571°N
137.59°E

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Composite

Volcano Types
Stratovolcano
Caldera(erosion)
Explosion crater(s)

Rock Types

Major
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Dacite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

401
521
143,935
4,455,560

Geological Summary

Midagahara volcano is a dissected andesitic-to-dacitic stratovolcano on a plateau surrounded by high peaks of the North Japan Alps. The granite-and-gneiss peak of Tateyama lies immediately to the east. Formation of a 4-km-wide erosional caldera was followed by repeated eruptions of lava and pyroclastics forming the Midagahara plateau that was later dissected by the Yukawa river. Holocene eruptions have been restricted to small phreatic explosions that formed craters. A minor historical eruption occurred in the 19th century. An earthquake swarm took place in 1990. Hot springs occur in seven locations on the floor of the poorly defined erosional caldera.

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

IAVCEI, 1973-80. Post-Miocene Volcanoes of the World. IAVCEI Data Sheets, Rome: Internatl Assoc Volc Chemistry Earth's Interior.

Japan Meteorological Agency, 2013. National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (fourth edition, English version). Japan Meteorological Agency.

Japan Meteorological Agency, 1996. National Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes in Japan (second edition). Tokyo: Japan Meteorological Agency, 502 p (in Japanese).

Kudo T, Hoshizumi H, 2006-. Catalog of eruptive events within the last 10,000 years in Japan, database of Japanese active volcanoes. Geol Surv Japan, AIST, https://gbank.gsj.jp/volcano/index_e.htm.

Kuno H, 1962. Japan, Taiwan and Marianas. Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields, Rome: IAVCEI, 11: 1-332.

Kusakabe M, Hayashi N, Kobayashi T, 1983. Genesis of banded sulfur sediments at Jigokudani valley, Tateyama volcano, Japan. Bull Volc Soc Japan (Kazan), 28: 245-261 (in Japanese with English abs).

Nakano S, Yamamoto T, Iwaya T, Itoh J, Takada A, 2001-. Quaternary Volcanoes of Japan. Geol Surv Japan, AIST, http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/strata/VOL_JP/.

Yamasaki M, Nakanishii N, Miyata K, 1966. History of Tateyama volcano. Sci Rpt Kanazawa Univ, 11: 73-92.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 5 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

[ 1858 Apr 8 ] Discredited Eruption

1839 Jun 10 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Jigoku-dani

1839 Jun 10 - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Jigoku-dani

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
1839 Jun 10	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1836 Jul 9 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Jigoku-dani

1836 Jul 9 - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Jigoku-dani

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
	1836 Jul 9	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 0704 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 \| Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)
0704 - Unknown				Evidence from Unknown

0900 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Jigoku-dani

0900 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Jigoku-dani

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity

3200 BCE ± 2100 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Jigoku-dani

3200 BCE ± 2100 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Jigoku-dani

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
	- - - -	- - - -	Ash

7300 BCE ± 1000 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Jigoku-dani

7300 BCE ± 1000 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Jigoku-dani

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
	- - - -	- - - -	Ash

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.

Synonyms

Tateyama

Craters

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Jigokudani

Crater

Mikurigaike

Crater

Domes

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Tenguyama

Dome

Photo Gallery

Lake-filled Mikurigaike crater is part of Tateyama, an eroded stratovolcano on a plateau surrounded by the granite and gneiss peaks of the North Japan Alps. Formation of a 4-km-wide caldera was followed by Pleistocene eruptions of lava and pyroclastics forming a plateau that was later eroded by the Yukawa river. Holocene eruptions have been restricted to small phreatic explosions that formed craters such as the one seen here.

Photo by Ichio Moriya, 1992 (Kanazawa University).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

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

External Sites

Copernicus Browser

The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions.

MIROVA

Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity.

MODVOLC Thermal Alerts

Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales.

WOVOdat
   Single Volcano View
   Temporal Evolution of Unrest
   Side by Side Volcanoes

WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments.

Volcanic Hazard Maps

The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter.

IRIS seismic stations/networks

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Midagahara. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice.

UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations

Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Midagahara. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player.

DECADE Data

The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO₂ to the atmosphere, but installing CO₂ monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere.

Large Eruptions of Midagahara

Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

EarthChem

EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS).